HC Deb 20 December 1916 vol 88 c1487W
Mr. MILLAR

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department what further steps have been taken during the past six months to increase the production of coal in the United Kingdom, and to provide railway wagons for the transport of coal from the collieries?

Mr. BRACE

I would refer the hon. Member to the detailed information contained in the further Report which was issued by the Coal Mining Organisation Committee in September last. I may add, however, to what is stated in the Report, that the arrangements made with the War Office for the release of miners unfit for general service have resulted in the return of over 12,000 men to the mines, and that special measures has been taken to deal with the question of absenteeism. The last part of the hon. Member's question is a matter for the Board of Trade.