76. Mr. Slaterasked the Minister of Fuel and Power to make a statement on the coal situation in the United Kingdom; and what arrangements have been arrived at with the European Coal and Steel Community for coal exchanges in the January-March quarter.
§ Mr. Aubrey JonesOutput in the past few months has been disappointing, but in the last fortnight there have been signs of some recovery. Coal stocks at 10th November stood at the satisfactory level of 23 million tons, 1.3 million tons more than a year earlier.
As regards the second part of the Question, it is expected that the Community will provide in this period about 400,000 tons of grades of coal required in the United Kingdom while United Kingdom exports to the Community will be about 500,000 tons.
§ 80. Mr. G. Darlingasked the Minister of Fuel and Power to what extent reduction in fuel oil supplies will affect production of coal from opencast workings.
§ Mr. Aubrey JonesAs I explained in my statement last Tuesday, minimum requirements for coal production will be maintained.