HC Deb 08 April 1948 vol 449 cc26-7W
65. Mr. Prescott

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what proportion of coal is cleaned, partly cleaned and untreated, respectively; and what were the corresponding figures for 1938.

Mr. Gaitskell

In 1946 (the latest year for which information is available) 47.4 per cent. of the total output of saleable coal was mechanically cleaned. The corresponding figure for 1938 was 45.4 per cent. Information on the proportion of partly cleaned and untreated coal for the two years is not available, but in 1946 approximately 7 per cent. of the total saleable output was sold as unscreened coal.