§ 55. Mr. Murrayasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is now in a position to state the programme of the National Coal Board regarding major developments under Section 3 (2) of the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act, 1946.
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§ Mr. GaitskellThe National Coal Board will be submitting in due course a corn prehensive programme for the whole country covering a period of years indicating the principal areas in which major developments are proposed, and the investment estimated to be required for the programme. My hon. Friend will appreciate that the drawing up of a comprehensive programme designed to secure the future output of coal in the most satisfactory way, and taking into account the material and financial resources likely to be available over the period of its execution, is a most formidable task. Meanwhile, as the Chairman of the National Coal Board has made clear, short-term developments, as well as a few long-term projects, some of which were taken over from the late owners are being pressed ahead.