§ Mr. D. J. Williamsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many opencast undertakings are now in production in the anthracite area of the South Wales coalfield; and what is the weekly output.
§ Mr. ShinwellThere are two opencast undertakings now in production in the anthracite area of the South Wales coalfield. Their average weekly outputs during the 17 weeks ended 23rd July, 1947, were 2,918 and 1,6o9 tons respectively.
§ Mr. Blytonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will make a statement regarding the period for which opencast coalmining may be expected to continue in this country.
§ Mr. ShinwellIn view of the imperative need for a higher output of coal, the Government have decided to extend the present programme of opencast coal working, which is due to expire at the end of 1949 until 1951. It is hoped that this will enable contractors to plan the large extension of their operations which will be needed if output of opencast coal is to be raised above the present level of 9–10 million tons and also to purchase and bring into use the considerable amount of excavating machinery which we have been able to order in the United States of America for delivery during the next year or so. The Government recognise that it would be impossible to shut down opencast working suddenly at the end of 1951 when production will be running at a high rate and operations will therefore continue on a gradually diminishing scale for the following few years. The Government hope that with removal of uncertainty regarding future prospects, all concerned with opencast coal will make a determined effort to secure a largely increased rate of production and to sustain it at a high level over the next few years.