§ Mr. Piratinasked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) whether the National Coal Board has placed bulk orders for mining machinery; for what machines and in what quantities; and whether any part of these orders has been placed with ordnance factories;
(2) how many Meco-Moore coal-cutters are required to satisfy all requirements; how many are on order; how many have been delivered; what is the time elapsing between order and delivery; and how soon it is expected that all orders now outstanding will have been completed.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe National Coal Board deal direct with the manufacturers who supply mining machinery. The Government, on their side, have included the274W requirements of the manufacturers of mining equipment in the highest priority class and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply is arranging for joint working parties with the National Coal Board to progress the main items of equipment and to see that everything possible is clone to ensure that the collieries get the equipment they need.