§ 40. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power to make a statement on the coal situation and the prospects for the next few months.
§ 43. Wing Commander Bullusasked the Minister of Fuel and Power to state the amount of coal stocks held at 31st December, 1954, or at the latest convenient date; and how this figure compares with the amount held 12 months ago.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksIn the first four weeks of this year output has again been below expectations, but imports were 607,000 tons compared with 72,000 in 1954. Stocks were 14.3 million on 29th January compared with 17.5 million a year ago, but my right hon. Friend expects imports between now and the end of April to show an increase of more than two million tons compared with last year. Consumption in the first three weeks this year was 14.4 million tons, which was an increase of 527,000 tons over last year. While there is no immediate danger, my right hon. Friend cannot stress too greatly the urgent need for the largest possible recovery of output.
§ 41. Mr. P. Robertsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will set up, in each fuel overseer's area, an emergency coal pool which can be drawn on, above 169W the ration allocation, in cases of emergency, such as sickness or disaster through bad weather.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksNo, because under present arrangements local fuel overseers have powers which, in effect, enable them to draw upon any resources in their area to meet such emergencies.