§ Mr. Hyndasked the Minister of Fuel and Power to what extent he has evidence that soft opencast coal is being stacked for indefinite periods while deep coal, more suitable for stacking, is being given preference for distribution; and who is responsible.
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe preference given to the distribution of deep mine coal to which my hon. Friend refers, arises from the urgent need to maintain production as far as possible at the pits. Consequently, in times of transport difficulty, priority of movement of coal is, at my request, given to deep mine pits and opencast coal is stocked on site. This has resulted in the accumulation of stocks of opencast coal, principally in Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. It is anticipated that these stocks will be largely cleared during next summer.