§ Sir P. Hannonasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will state, as at the latest convenient time, the production of coal in the Ruhr area; how far production has declined as compared with January this year; and if any change has taken place in the allocation of coal for the needs of civilian economy and German needs in the British zone.
§ Mr. J. Hynd:The pithead production of cleaned coal in the Ruhr area amounted to 3,550,000 tons in April. This was some 30 per cent. less than the January production of 5,027,000 tons. More shifts were, however, worked in January than in April and it is more accurate to compare the average daily production in the two months. This was 161,000 tons in April, but some 10 per cent. below the January figure of 170,000 tons. Coal used for the requirements of the British zone, including transport requirements and the needs of the occupation forces, averaged 428,000 tons a week in April or some 5 per cent. less than the 452,000 tons a week in January.