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Coal Industry

Volume 435: debated on Thursday 3 April 1947

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Low Temperature Carbonisation

28.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the policy of the Government towards the development of low temperature carbonisation of coal; and if he will make a statement.

While the present shortage of coal continues it is not possible to allocate additional supplies for low temperature carbonisation. When more coal is available the question of developing this process will be considered in the light of the demand for its products and the importance of their uses.

Is it not a tact that this industry is really in its infancy, and, in view of the very important by-products being obtained, will not the Minister, in spite of the difficulties, call together in consultation representatives of the industry in order to see how these products can be developed?

We are always prepared to consult with the representatives of this or that industry, but I must tell the hon. Gentleman that the quesion of byproducts which would be lost by diverting coal to this particular process has also to be considered.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that, after extracting the valuable by-products, what is left is a very good fuel? May I take it from his reply that he will receive a deputation?

The chief difficulty is that this fuel does not produce gas in sufficient quantities as a by-product.

The hon. Gentleman has not answered my question. Will he receive a deputation?

Coal Reserve, Carlisle

29.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why his Department has seen fit to deplete the reserve of coal held at Crown Street, Carlisle, and has allocated the same to firms outside the area when the Carlisle textile industry is working short time owing to shortage of fuel.

The reserve of coal held at Crown Street, Carlisle, has been sold to industrial consumers nominated by the North-Western Area Emergency Advisory Committee, who are the programming authority for the district.

Can the Minister say why the local firms working on textiles were not given the opportunity of purchasing the coal in view of the acute shortage, and is he aware that, unless further supplies of coal are available, there is a possibility of certain of these industries closing down?

As my hon. Friend is aware the question of allocations to industry is a matter for the President of the Board of Trade. Perhaps he will address his question to my right hon. Friend.

Five-Day Week

31.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what discrepancies there are between the agreement recntly made between the Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers concerning the five-day week and No. 4 of the heads of agreement signed by representatives of the Mining Association and the Mineworkers' Federation at the Ministry of Fuel on 20th April, 1944.

The effect, after the primary vesting date, of collective agreements to which the National Union of Mineworkers and the previous employers were parties, is governed by various agreements reached between the National Coal Board and the Union. These agreements expressly provided for early consideration of the application of the principle of a five-day week and the question of discrepancies does not therefore arise.

Is it not a fact that by the agreement referred to, the mineworkers have pledged themselves, in return for the guarantee of a minimum wage, not to raise the question of remuneration or of conditions during the currency of the agreement, and that there is still a year for that agreement to run?

Yes, Sir, but there can be no possible objection to a voluntary agreement replacing this one between the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the agreement was made by the mineowners on behalf of the companies and the public, and can he say whether they have ever been consulted about the tearing up of this agreement?

As they are no longer employers, there would be no reason for consulting them.

I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman is sufficiently master of the English language to realise what the word means.

As the Minister of Fuel and Power is not present, may we assume that he is only working a three-day week?

32.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is satisfied that, if the five-day week comes into operation in the coalmining industry in May next, an increased output of coal can be relied upon, and that the target of 200,000,000 tons of open-cast and mined coal can be anticipated.

34.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if the National Coal Board had formed any estimate of the diminution in the output of mined coal as the result of the coming into operation of the five-day week in May next, and, in particular, if the target envisaged in the recent White Paper can be reached under the new conditions.

I will answer these Questions by referring to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power in the House yesterday.

They would not have concluded the agreement if they did not approve of it.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say what reduction of output is anticipated as a result of this days and hours agreement?

33.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether the agreement just arrived at between the Government and the National Union of Mineworkers had the approval of the National Coal Board, or is the agreement one for which the Government accepts full responsibility.

The principle of the working week of five days of 7½ hours for coalminers is one of which His Majesty's Government fully approve. The detailed conditions applicable to the five-day week have been negotiated by the National Coal Board with the National Union of Mineworkers and are now embodied in the agreement to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. The National Coal Board will operate the agreement with effect from 4th May.

Exports To Holland

35.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether in view of the fact that low-grade coal was exported in considerable quantities to Holland and other places on the Continent during 1946, and that this coal was used by horticulturists for their greenhouses, giving them a substantial advantage over horticulturists in this country who were unable to obtain adequate supplies, he will refuse to make supplies for this purpose available to the European Coal Organisation during 1947.

My right hon. Friend has no information as to what proportion of the inferior coal exported by this country to Holland, in 1946, was used by the Dutch horticultural industry. I may inform the hon. Member however, that since 21st December no coal of any kind has been used by that industry, by order of the Dutch coal distributing authority. No United Kingdom coal is at present being allocated to the European Coal Organisation.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the feeling among horticulturists in this country was very strong about this coal being sent last year? I welcome the fact that he seemed to give an assurance that no further coal will be sent for this purpose during 1947. Will he confirm it?

I have stated that no coal is at present being sent. Obviously, the question of future exports of coal must depend on supplies.

37.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the fact that the definition of domestic coal now includes not only coal suitable for burning in an open grate but also boiler coal for central heating of houses, etc., he will give an assurance that the coal shipped to Holland through the European Coal Organisation in 1946 could not have been classified as boiler coal suitable for domestic central heating.

Of the 26,000 tons of United Kingdom inferior coal exported to Holland during 1946, only 2,700 tons, drawn from anthracite dumps, were of a type which it might have been possible to use in central heating boilers. My right hon. Friend has no information as to whether it was in fact so used.

Can the Minister tell us when coal is not coal, in view of the fact that whenever it is sent out of the country, and we want coal, we are told that it is inferior and utterly unusable.? Surely those people to whom it goes can make use of it? It just does not make sense.

The Question was whether this coal was used for heating boilers, which I have answered. Most of the coal exported is very inferior, but there is no shred of evidence to show how it was used.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the coal here is very inferior, and that 25 per cent. of it is unusable?

Domestic Allocations

36.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what meteorological and other reasons determine his allocation of only 34 cwt. of coal a year to each householder in the south of England as compared with 50 cwt. in the north; and if he will modify this disproportionate discrimination in periods of severe weather, such as that of the last few months, in which east and south-east coastal areas in particular have been at least as cold as any part of Britain.

The maximum allowances are based on general climatic conditions which necessitate space heating to a greater degree and for a greater part of the year in the north than in the south. When there is a spell of severe weather which does not follow the normal climatic tendencies my right hon. Friend would not be justified on that account in revising the annual allowances. The modification of allowances for short periods would moreover be impracticable.

While not wishing to bring about civil war between the North and the South in regard to this matter, may I ask my hon. Friend why it would be impracticable to make the scheme more flexible to meet the conditions, described in the last lines of my Question, which are undoubtedly a fact?

It would be impracticable because the programme for distributing coal has to be fixed well in advance, and it would be quite out of the question suddenly to make alterations without upsetting it.

In view of the difficulty of acceding to the suggestion of the hon. Member, will the Parliamentary Secretary consider whether it would not be much simpler to increase production?

Will my hon. Friend make sure that the 34 cwt. is delivered to the people by the retailers?

In regard to the implications of the original Question, has the Parliamentary Secretary taken into account the course of the Gulf Stream?

38.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that considerable hardship is caused by the fact that the allocation of solid fuel to consumers who have young children or invalids in their care at home is no greater than householders, in similar dwellings, where the occupants are out at work all day; and if he will see that, when new arrangements are made for the allocation of domestic fuel, the needs of individual consumers are taken into account.

The quantities of fuel allowed under the restrictions are intended to cover the normal needs of ordinary families with children. If there is abnormal need owing to the presence of young children or invalids, it can be dealt with by the local fuel overseer on application.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that these regulations appear to be completely misunderstood by the local fuel overseers, who will not give allocations where there is great need because of young children or invalids?

If the hon. Lady will let me have a specific instance, I will cause inquiries to be made.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that the instances are manifold all over the country and will he expect housewives to take note of his most unsatisfactory answer?

Opencast Working, Wentworth Woodhouse

40.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that the restoration of the land at Wentworth Woodhouse is not being carried out in a proper manner; and what steps he proposes to take to see that the dwindling amount of land available for agriculture in Great Britain is not further reduced unnecessarily.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "No, Sir." In regard to the second part of the Question, no opencast coal working is started on agricultural land without prior consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that his answer was similar to the one he gave me a long time ago, and shows that he is entirely unaware of the position? Is he aware that I have in my hand particulars of six different sites on the Wentworth Woodhouse estate which have been so-called restored? This is typical of the restoration. The top soil has been completely lost.

The land at Wentworth Woodhouse is being restored in consultation with the local agricultural executive committee, and we have had no complaint from that committee regarding the restoration.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the latest site, about to be worked, will involve spoiling water resources and trees under 10 years old, and will be a great inconvenience to the local inhabitants?

I have discussed this matter personally with the representatives of Earl Fitzwilliam, and we are going into the matter.

Will everything possible be done to restore the amenities being destroyed as a result of this opencast working?

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary to make a personal investigation of this matter to find out what are the true facts?

Fuel Emergency (Reinstatement)

41.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of his assurance regarding the victimisation of employees on the resumption of work after the recent industrial crisis, he will consider cancelling contracts placed by his Department with Messrs. L. Gardener, Eccles, until they have reinstated the employees they have not re-employed.

So far as my right hon. Friend is able to ascertain, the Ministry of Fuel and Power have no contracts with this firm.

Machinery Production And Export

43.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much coalmining machinery and how many mechanical coal cutters have been produced during the most recent convenient statistical period; and what quantities were for British coalmines, for export to the Empire and to foreign countries, respectively.

During the period 1st January, 1946, to 28th February, 1947, 4,066 coal cutters, conveyors and power loaders were provided, of which 1,184 were mechanical coal cutters. Of the 4,066 machines, 3,327 were ordered for British mines, 100 for export to the Empire and 639 for export to foreign countries.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that my Question asks for figures of production and not the figures for these machines which have been exported? I want to know how many were actually produced.

I have already given the figures, and I do not think the hon. Member could have understood them.

Perhaps I may repeat the figures. Of the 4,066 machines produced, 3,327 were ordered and the remainder were exported.

Railway Services And Miners' Allowances

44.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what will be the amount of coal saved by cutting summer railway services by 10 per cent. and by reducing miners' allowance of free coal by 10 per cent. over the same period, and substituting a cash allowance.

As regards the first part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport to the hon. Member for St. Ives (Mr. Beechman) on 20th March. As regards the second part of the Question, a reduction of 10 per cent. in the coal supplied to miners during the summer would represent 8,100 tons per week, of which 3,400 tons would be from free coal and 4,700 tons from coal at reduced prices.

Would the Minister let us know which of these two reductions will be the greater?

The total for the summer is 250,000 tons, which is about 10,000 tons a week. Therefore, the saving on transport is rather greater than the saving on miners' coal.

Does the hon. Gentleman remember last night's Debate, in which we quoted two entirely contradictory figures given by the Government as to the saving? He now says that 250,000 tons will he saved, but one of his colleagues—I think it was the Minister of Transport—said that the figure would be 120,000 tons. Which is right?

The Minister of Transport's figure is the one I am giving on this occasion.

Polish Coal

45.

asked the Prime Minister if, in considering the import of coal, he will examine the possibility of obtaining some from Poland, whose coal exports in 1946 were nearly twice as much as those of Great Britain; and if, in this and in other connections, he will give an assurance that no ideological differences will be allowed to obstruct the development of trade between Great Britain and Poland.

The matter is being discussed with the Polish Trade Delegation now in this country, with special reference to obtaining a share of any increase in the Polish coal export surplus for shipment to bunker depots overseas, which have hitherto been supplied from the United Kingdom.

Bunker Coal

96.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the prevailing practice of vessels belonging to neutral nations taking supplies of bunker coal from this country instead of from Belgian ports because of the high prices demanded, he will stop this practice, in view of the shortage of our supplies.

I have been asked to reply. Foreign vessels not carrying cargo to or from this country are strictly limited in the quantity of bunkers they may take here and are not given more than sufficient coal to reach their next port of call. If carrying cargo to or from this country foreign vessels are allowed bunkers in tile United Kingdom on the same basis as British ships. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that this policy reduces the off take of bunkers by foreign ships to the minimum compatible with our position as a maritime nation.

Is the hon. Member aware that I put this Question down to the Minister of Fuel and Power, who did not like it? He transferred it to the Minister of Transport, who did not like it. Now the hon. Member, with whom I have no quarrel, is put up to deal with it. These important Questions should not be passed over by two important Ministers. It is really treating this House with great indifference in a very important matter. I wish to make a protest.

Tile Works (Supplies)

99.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that, owing to a shortage of fuel, Messrs. Lloyds' Tile Company Limited, Withington, Hereford, will be compelled to close down and put out of employment 86 regular workers; and, in view of the fact that this company has a full order book for the export and home trade, if he will give the matter urgent consideration.

I am informed that the gas coke required by this company cannot at present be supplied since the available production is required for more immediately essential services. Every effort will be made to met the needs of the company as soon as supplies improve.

In view of the fact that this firm is securing export trade, is it not necessary that they should be given first priority?

My information is that the whole of the supplies coming forward from this particular gas company are required for essential local services, such as bakeries and hospitals.