HC Deb 26 June 1947 vol 439 c86W
73. Major Legge-Bourke

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the percentage of wastage of opencast coal between the sites and the consumer or merchant; and how this compares with deep-mined coal.

Mr. Shinwell

Figures for wastage of opencast coal between site and consumer are not available, but this wastage is not likely to differ materially from that between site and merchant which amounts to about 4 per cent. The wastage involved in converting deep-mined coal, as raised and weighed, into saleable coal amounts to about 6 per cent.