§ Sir G. Gibsonasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is requesting local authorities to be responsible for the storage of coal for the winter; and what arrangements are being made for such storage?
§ Mr. GrenfellI have already referred in this House to the assistance which local authorities have given to the Mines Department in regard to coal storage, and I am anxious that this should continue. While the financial responsibility for the reserve stocks in question has throughout rested with the Government, the help of local authorities has been invaluable in acquiring sites and making arrangements for stacking. Adequate sites have now been secured in most areas and I think it is inadvisable to transfer the responsibility as suggested.