National Target

HC Deb 27 November 1945 vol 416 cc1281-2W

Mr. Berry

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the meaning of the term "Notional Target" used by his Ministry.

Mr. Shinwell

The term used by my Ministry is "National Target," which refers to an additional eight million tons of mined coal for the six months November, 1945–April, 1946, over the original forecast of 87 million tons for those months.

Mr. Raikes

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what proportion of the 8,000,000 tons target aimed at in his present campaign is anticipated to derive from opencast workings.

Mr. Shinwell

The additional target of 8,000,000 tons represents the additional quantity of mined coal needed to balance the coal budget for the winter months November, 1945 to April, 1946, after full account has been taken of the maximum production from opencast workings that may be looked for during that period.