asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is satisfied that unnecessary long distance railway transport of coal is being reduced to a minimum; and whether he can state the extent to which North Country coal is being transported by railway to the South of England?

Coal amounting to approximately 63,000 tons a week is being railed from Northumberland and Durham to London and the South of England on account of exceptional conditions. I am fully aware of the desirability of reducing rail hauls as much as possible, but I am satisfied that it would not be desirable to reduce this traffic at the present time.