§ Colonel Ropnerasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what use is being made of open-cast coal; why, instead of distributing it, it is necessary to stack it in bulk or under conditions which tend to self-combustion; and whether those dealers who do stock it are aware of the risk of such combustion.
650W
Major Lloyd GeorgeOpencast coal is supplied as a general purpose coal to all types of consumers, including railways, gas and electricity undertakings, and all types of industrial and domestic consumers. Aready between 9,000,000 and 10,000,000 tons of open-cast coal have been distributed to these various markets. Stocks exist to maintain the market demand during the winter when the rate of production is normally less than in the summer months and to meet anticipated overseas requirements in connection with military operations. All stock dumps are laid down in accordance with the advice of the Fuel Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The method adopted is designed to minimise the risks of self combustion. The problem of the spontaneous heating of coal, whether deep mined or open-cast, is well known to producers, factors and large consumers who are aware of the need to be constantly on guard against fire in large stocks.