§ Captain ERSKINE-BOLSTasked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the statement in the annual report of the Central Electricity Board that in certain electricity stations there has been a saving in fuel economy in 1934 as compared with 1932 of over 7 per cent., equivalent to nearly £500,000; and what this economy represents in terms of coal production arid unemployment of miners?
§ Mr. E. BROWNI have seen the statement referred to. I have no official information on the subject, but I understand from the Central Electricity Board that the economy in coal consumption, in respect of the stations referred to in the statement, effected in 1934 as compared with 1932 was something of the order of 600,000 tons, which would represent the employment of about 2,150 miners. While increased efficiency in the production of electricity may result in decreased coal consumption for a given number of units, this is not the only factor affecting the amount of coal consumed by electricity undertakings.