§ Sir R. Gowerasked the Secretary for Mines, to what extent progress has been made since the outbreak of war in the 365W use of mechanical conveyors and loaders below ground in mines; whether the greater proportion of our coal output continues to be carried by conveyors; whether many more mines are now using conveyors; and whether conveyors are now used in the mines of the anthracite area?
§ Mr. GrenfellThere has been an increased use of conveyors and loaders since the outbreak of war, but it would not be desirable to publish the figures. The answer to the second and fourth parts of the Question is "yes," but the use of conveyors in the anthracite mines of South Wales is still on a comparatively small scale.