asked the Secretary for Mines when the Committee under the chairmanship of Lord Henley is likely to make its report on substitute fuels; and whether this report will be made public?

I would remind the hon. Member that, in answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent (Mr. Ellis Smith) on 24th March, I stated that the report of Lord Henley's Committee had then just been completed. I regret that it has been decided not to make the report public.

Can the Minister tell the House why this report will not be made public?

It is deemed not to be entirely necessary and not in the public interest.

Having regard to the present coal situation, does not the Minister think there is a good deal of scope for the use of substitute fuels?

That possibility has been very fully discussed. I do not think there is any lack of information on that wide subject.

Can the Minister say whether substitute fuels can be used for house fires?

The Question refers to producer gas for road transport.

Are the oil interests likely to be opposing publication?

There is no question of oil interests being involved in this matter so far as I know. I have never heard that suggested.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has now any further statement to make relative to the question of the employment of youths in coalmining, particularly with regard to a scheme of apprenticeship to that industry?

The problem of ensuring a sufficient number of boys and youths for mining employment, including the question of apprenticeship, is now under consideration by an independent committee under the chairmanship of Sir John Forster. I am unable to make any further statement pending the report of the committee.

Does not the Minister agree that, in view of the fuel situation, this matter is very urgent?

It is receiving urgent consideration now. There are daily meetings on the subject.

When is the committee likely to report?

I cannot say, but it will be soon.

Is the Minister considering making a recruiting appeal to the public schools and universities of this country?

I have not considered it.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, seeing that council houses provide space for the storage of coal, he will allow stocks to be accumulated, where possible, during the summer months, thus relieving pressure on transport during the winter?

The Department has always encouraged householders to stock coal in summer, and will make provision for stocking to be resumed this summer as soon as the supply of coal permits.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many unofficial strikes have taken place in the coal industry during the last month; what was their duration; and how many men were involved?

During the three weeks ended 23rd May there were 86 strikes, involving loss of time by approximately 58,000 wage earners. The duration of the dispute varied, but, in all, 141,688 man-shifts were lost in the period. Information for the week ended 30th May is not yet available.

What steps have been taken, if any, to bring home to the miners the seriousness of the situation created by unofficial strikes?

Everything possible has been done to bring home to the minds of the men who have abstained from work the great loss and injury inflicted upon the nation by their action. I am glad to say that almost all the men are back at work to-day.

Are not these strikes illegal?

They are not strictly illegal.

asked the Secretary for Mines what action has been taken as a result of an infringement of the Fuel and Lighting Order, 1939, which was reported to the Walthamstow Borough Council on 27th March, 1942, and in respect of which the town clerk of Walthamstow was instructed to communicate with his Department?

I regret that the evidence available in this case was not sufficient to warrant proceedings.

Was the name of the person concerned communicated to the Minister?

Yes, Sir. I have read all the papers in the case, and I do not think there is sufficient ground to warrant proceedings.

asked the Lord President of the Council what action the Government propose to take following upon the report of the Medical Research Council upon chronic pulmonary disease in the South Wales coalfield?

I have been asked to reply. The recommendations in the report, which affect the Mines Department, as well as the Home Office, are under active consideration, in consultation with my hon. Friend the Secretary for Mines. It is not yet possible to make any statement as to the action to be taken, but the urgency of the matter is fully appreciated and it will be dealt with with the least possible delay.

Would the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this investigation took well over four years and that it is really desirable that urgent action should be taken? Secondly, in framing any new Order, would the Department bear in mind the desirability of ante-dating its operation; otherwise large numbers of men who would be qualified under the report will be disqualified?

With regard to the second point, we will certainly take that into consideration. As to the hon. Member's first point, although this inquiry has taken a long time, the report was only published on 16th May, and there have been other matters affecting the coal industry which have been the concern of the Mines Department since that date.