§ 43. Mr. Eadieasked the Minister of Power what estimate he has made of the reduction in coal stocks during the coming winter, giving the figures for distributed and undistributed stocks, respectively.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Power (Mr. Reginald Freeson)Depending on weather conditions, coal stocks might fall by about 6 million tons this winter, made up of a fall of perhaps 2½ million tons in undistributed stocks, and a fall of 3½ million tons in distributed stocks.
§ Mr. EadieIs my hon. Friend aware that many miners would be happy if the coal stocks were reduced? Does he agree that, if the policy of the T.U.C. to hold an independent inquiry into the fuel and power industry were carried out, many more miners would be satisfied?
§ Mr. FreesonI would agree, of course, that, if we could get the coal stocks reduced, the miners and the economy itself would benefit. This is a question of expanding and holding the market, in which, of course, we are interested and the N.C.B. is very active.