HL Deb 02 December 1947 vol 152 cc1088-9WA
THE EARL OF MANSFIELD

asked His Majesty's Government whether they will state, for 1946 and 1947 to the nearest convenient date, the total imports of sugar, in volume and value, from Jamaica, the remaining British West Indies, the Empire and the rest of the world respectively, together with the amounts of sugar produced in this country in each of the years 1939, 1944, 1945, and 1946.

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (THE EARL OF HUNTINGDON)

The total imports of sugar during 1946 and January to October, 1947, were as follows:

steps are being taken further to control them.

LORD CHORLEY

The less tangible factors include the increased mechanization of coal-getting and loading, which increases the proportion of dirt in the coal reaching the surface, and the limited capacity of surface plants in terms of the quantity of dirt which can be dealt with in a given time. The need to maintain the rate of throughput therefore results in a greater proportion of dirt being left in the, coal sent to consumers. The degree of importance of these factors is difficult to assess, but as I have previously assured the noble Lord the National Coal Board are making very special efforts to rectify the deterioration, and the measures they are taking include the construction of new surface plant.