Written Answers To Questions
Friday, 6th May, 1949
Norway (Parliamentary Delegation)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what answer he has given to the invitation from the Norwegian Parliament for an all-party Parliamentary delegation to visit Norway; and if he will make arrangements for this visit.
The invitation has been accepted and my right hon. Friend is making the necessary arrangements for the visit to take place from 16th May to 21st May.
Coal Industry
Output Figures
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if the figures for coal output are given before or after washing; and on what basis these figures were given before the war.
Figures of coal output issued by the Ministry of Fuel and Power relate to saleable output, that is, the output after screening and washing. Before the war, information was published relating to output both before and after cleaning.
Domestic Supplies (Quality)
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if his attention has been drawn to the resolution of the Bingham Rural District Council concerning the amount of slate, stone and other foreign matter mixed with the ashes of fuel burned in domestic firegrates in the district; and what steps he is taking to improve the quality of the domestic coal supplied to this district.
The need to export as much high-class coal as possible inevitably influences the quality available for the home market, but I am not aware of any special complaints recently in the area of the Bingham Rural District. With regard to the steps being taken to improve quality, I would refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 272–277 of the Annual Report of the National Coal Board for 1947.