§ 30. Mr. Eadieasked the Minister of Power how many schemes for rationalisation and concentration of retail coal distribution are going ahead; and in what areas.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Power (Mr. Reginald Freeson)There are 45 mechanised and 100 335 non-mechanised coal concentration depôts under construction or under examination by the interests concerned. They have a combined capacity of 7½ million tons a year, and are in many parts of the country.
§ Mr. EadieIs my hon. Friend aware that there is still some urgency about the matter raised in my Question? If he reads the Robson Report of 1958, he will see that there were 81 per cent. of private traders. The Report of the Prices and Incomes Board of last year showed that the position had worsened in that there were 12,000 private traders, which represents 83 per cent. Is it not time that this matter was treated with some urgency?
§ Mr. FreesonI can assure my hon. Friend that there is considerable discussion and negotiation going on at present in the field of rationalisation in an endeavour to increase the number of coal concentration deôots throughout the country. We are treating the matter with urgency.