§ Mr. D. J. Williamsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) how much anthracite coal was produced in 1948; how much of this was exported; and if he will give the comparable figures for 1938;
(2) how much anthracite coal was exported to Canada in 1938; and what was the comparable figure in 1948;
(3) what is the weekly output of anthracite coal for 1949; and what was the comparable figure for 1939.
§ Mr. GaitskellThe total output of anthracite from collieries and opencast workings in South Wales and from collieries in Scotland in 1938 and 1948 is as follows:—
Tons South Wales Scotland Total 1938 5,539,000 739,100 6,278,100 1948 (estimated) 3,208,600 813,000 4,021,600 The provisional figure of average weekly output in the first 40 weeks of 140W 1949 is 82,300 tons, compared with an estimate of 119,300 tons per week for the corresponding period of 1939.
Exports of anthracite in 1948 amounted to 536,100 tons, of which 163,100 tons went to Canada. The corresponding figures for 1938 were 3,562,400 and 1,053,100 tons respectively.