Miners' Concessionary Coal
1.
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what percentage reduction in miners' house coal is contemplated consistent with his broadcast of 6th January emphasising the need for economy in domestic fuel consumption.
I am confident that the miners will loyally respond to my right hon. Friend's appeal for economy and will, in the present critical weeks, do what they can to cut down the amount of free or concessionary coal they take home; but I cannot, of course, forecast what the saving may be.
While this is, of course, a recognised perquisite for those who produce our coal, does not the Minister feel that there is now too wide a discrepancy between the allocation of coal to miners and that to other householders, which is now less than two tons per annum?
No, Sir, the requirements of the miners are very different from those of other classes of people.
Has the Minister considered giving the miners an equivalent allowance in cash so as to place them on the same footing as ordinary householders, and thus bring home to them the fact that coal is not, perhaps, as plentiful in the rest of the country as in the mining areas?
In most areas an allowance is made by the colliery for coal left at the pit by the miner.
Is the Minister aware that many miners in Lancashire and Cheshire had not received an ounce of concessionary coal up to last Saturday, and that they are prepared to make sacrifices until the coal situation is somewhat easier than it is at present?
Yes, Sir, I understand that that is so.
I beg to give notice that I shall be raising this matter later.
2.
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the average amount of coal issued to each householder in the United Kingdom during 1950 and the average cost per ton; and the average amount of concessionary coal issued to miners' households and the price per ton.
During 1950 the average amount of coal, including boiler fuel, delivered to householders was a little over two tons at an average cost of 90s. per ton including the cost of delivery. The average amount of free or concessionary coal supplied to men in the mining industry was about 10 tons. Where payment was made the average price was 8s. 4d. per ton, excluding the cost of delivery. The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that concessionary or free coal is part of miners' remuneration and is covered by wage agreements.
Is the hon. Gentleman fully satisfied that there is no abuse of this concessionary coal privilege and that all the coal is consumed in the houses for which it is intended? Further, will he say what approaches have been made to the miners to withhold acceptance of concessionary coal in view of the great hardship to other householders in the country?
Yes, my right hon. Friend made an appeal. We spoke of that on Question No. 1. As far as abuse is concerned, if the hon. Member has any facts I shall be glad to look into them.
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the last issue of the "Digest of Statistics" showed that a smaller number of miners had a greater amount of coal this year than in 1938, and that if they had been willing to sacrifice a quarter of the excess over domestic consumption it would have obviated any need to import coal from America?
The right hon. Gentleman will probably remember that since the date he mentioned Lancashire miners have come into the concessionary coal scheme.
Yes, but I was talking about the last day of December. If the hon. Gentleman takes the figure for 1950 he will find they had five million tons of coal and that if they had been on the domestic ration they would have had just over one million tons.
Is not the King getting free coal like the miners?
Old Age Pensioners
4.
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will consider subsidising fuel for old age pensioners in view of the fact that they have great difficulty in buying their present ration due to the high cost of living.
I regret that I am unable to consider the suggestion made in the hon. Gentleman's Question. Old age pensioners finding their income inadequate should, of course, apply to the National Assistance Board for supplementary grants.
Does the Minister appreciate that these poor people are now not only rationed by the purse but by the incompetence of His Majesty's Government? Does he consider that "fair shares for all"?
No doubt there will be problems for some old age pensioners, but I understand they are met by the reasonable arrangements made by the National Assistance Board.
In view of the evidence of hardship to old age pensioners in this matter in Birmingham, and no doubt, in other places, would the hon. Gentleman confer with the Minister of National Insurance to make sure that the Assistance Board revise their rates upwards where necessary in order to meet the increased price?
I am sure that the Assistance Board deal generously with old age pensioners who are in need.
Could my hon. Friend make arrangements for old age pensioners to have a greater allowance of coal because of their greater need in particularly cold weather?
Where there is need for additional coal the local fuel overseer is entitled to make arrangements for these people.
Opencast Working (Cost)
6.
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the average cost per ton of getting opencast coal for 1950, including depreciation of machinery and the cost of replacing land.
The estimated total cost of getting opencast coal in 1950 was approximately 43s. 0d. a ton, including the appropriate provision for the depreciation of the machinery used and for the restoration of the land.
Could the hon. Gentleman tell us, approximately, what was the maximum cost in the worst places where the coal has been worked?
Not without notice. It would vary from site to site of course.
Price Increase (Costs)
25.
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether the recent increase in the price of coal includes the full cost resulting from the imports of coal as at present planned.
Yes, Sir. The extra cost resulting from the import of coal, as at present estimated, was allowed for in full in the increase of price which has recently been made.
As that increase has been put on the worse qualities, does that mean that the Minister has abandoned his policy of trying to get a wider price, differential between qualities?
No, Sir. It is the procedure which has been adopted by the-Coal Board—to vary prices in accordance with quality.
26.
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what proportion of the increase of 4s. 2d. per ton of coal and of 6s. 3d. per ton of coke represents increased wages costs; and what proportion represents other costs.
Of the recent increase in the price of coal, 1s. 5d. per ton, or just over one-third, is due to increases in miners' wages made since September last, or to the National Coal Board's contribution to a Supplementary Pensions Fund. The rest is due to the increase in the price of materials which the National Coal Board must purchase, and to other factors. The increase in the price of coke is the result of the increase in the price of coal.
In view of those figures, does the hon. Gentleman realise that he was grossly unfair to the miners in suggesting in a recent speech that the whole of the increase was due to the rise in miners' wages?
That suggestion was not made. In fact, if I remember rightly, the only figure I used was that over £100 million had gone towards better wages and conditions for the miners, and that is an accurate figure.
In view of the fact that the element in respect of miners' wages does not enter into the cost of producing opencast coal, why should the 4s. 2d. per ton be placed on opencast production?
Because the selling price of coal must be the same, whether it is deep-mined or opencast coal. There must be an average, in just the same way as the cost of American coal is not charged to industrialists at the higher price.
Is my hon. Friend aware that the decent members of our community are quite prepared to pay more for coal if the miners have justice and not the hunger wages which were paid under private enterprise?
Foreign Workers
8.
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will make a statement as to the result of his conversations with the National Union of Mineworkers on the subject of the use of further Italian labour in the mines.
12.
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is now the policy of His Majesty's Government in regard to the recruitment of foreign workers from European countries for work in British pits; whether he can indicate the number of additional foreign workers it is proposed to recruit during 1951; the countries of origin; the terms of employment in British pits; and whether he will make a statement.
In their recent agreement with the National Coal Board, the Executive of the National Union of Mineworkers have pledged themselves to use their best endeavours to secure the willing acceptance of foreign workers in every pit where there is at present a shortage of men. This agreement was endorsed, with only one dissentient vote, at a delegate conference of the union held in York three weeks ago. The terms of employment for foreign workers in the mines will be the same as for British workers, but I cannot yet make any estimate of the number who will be recruited during 1951.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether any steps have been taken to get any of these people here?
Yes, Sir. The labour attaché in Rome is in contact with the appropriate people there about recruitment.
Would the Minister now answer the second part of my Question No. 12, which asks for the countries of origin in which these miners will be recruited? Can he also tell the House what measure of success is anticipated from this scheme, in view of the failure of a similar desire in Belgium to employ Italian and other foreign workers?
As this is a scheme for employing Italians I assume that they will come from Italy.
Can my hon. Friend say to what extent we are competing with Belgium in taking Italian labour?
No, Sir. But there are many Italians experienced in mining work who are prepared to come to this country.
Is it not owing to the slow action of the Government in this matter that they now find themselves in competition with Belgium for what Italian miners there are?
No, Sir.
Would my hon. Friend impress upon the Opposition that the objection to employing Italian labour is not on the grounds of nationality but on the grounds of language? Will he point out, for the edification of hon. Gentlemen opposite, who know nothing about this, that in a coal mine it is necessary that each man should understand the language of the man with whom he is working?
Supplies, Manchester
11.
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the acute shortage of coal for domestic consumers, he will take all possible emergency action to facilitate the supply of coal in Manchester.
I do not accept that the house coal position in Manchester is such as to warrant diversion of supplies from other communities. Manchester is receiving its fair share of the coal available for the domestic market and, indeed, in the four weeks ended 3rd February received only 658 tons less than in the corresponding period last year.
Would the Minister further investigate this matter, as there are many households in Manchester without any coal at all?
The local fuel overseer keeps us fully informed of the position in the area.
If there is a drop this year how can the hon. Gentleman reconcile that with the statement by his right hon. Friend that he had provided 1.6 million tons more for consumers this year than was provided last year?
That is a correct statement. The domestic market has received 1.6 million tons more this year than last year.
Would the Minister bear in mind that to come home to an empty grate after working in the high temperature of a cotton mill is the surest way to bring about illness?
Coke Supplies
13 and 14.
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) to what extent supplies of foundry coke are falling short of demands; and what steps are being taken to secure improvement on the present position;
(2) if he is aware that engineering firms in North Staffordshire engaged on urgent Government contracts and exports, have inadequate supplies of foundry coke for current and future needs; and whether he will take special steps to effect an early improvement to avoid closing down foundries.
About 2,500 tons per week more coke have been supplied dur- ing the last five weeks to the foundry and engineering trades than in the corresponding period a year ago. It is estimated, however, that the demand for foundry coke has increased since then by 15 per cent., and there have in recent weeks been difficulties in the transport of coke by rail. Special measures have been taken—for example, the movement of coke by road, where practicable, to meet the current needs of consumers. New coke ovens are now under construction, and some of them will come into production within the next three months.
What about the firms to which I have drawn special attention in North Staffordshire, which are on urgent Government contracts? Is my hon. Friend able to do anything for them in the meantime?
The programming authority in the region will give attention to any specific cases which reach their notice.
28.
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that many industrial premises in the London area now have insufficient coke to maintain normal heating; and what action is he taking to increase the supply of coke to this area.
I am advised that supplies in the London area permit deliveries of 90 per cent. of last winter's requirements to industrial premises which are normally supplied with coke. Transport or other difficulties may lead to interruption of supplies, and if any manufacturers are in difficulties they should get in touch with the district coke representative.
Can we be assured that these establishments are pot short of supplies? Is the Minister aware that the export of coke from the London area has been restarted? Is it wise to do this?
If there are establishments which find themselves in difficulties, I am perfectly certain that the district coke representative will see them through those difficulties.
Allocations
15.
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power on what basis he expects to allocate coal to industrial consumers during the period from 1st May to 1st November, 1951.
16.
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will arrange to make up the under deliveries of coal and coke to industry during the summer months.
The allocations of coal and coke to industrial consumers during the summer period of 1951 will be sufficient to meet their full requirements, for current consumption, and to build up adequate winter stocks.
Can the Minister say how these allocations will compare with allocations during the comparable period in 1950?
The allocations will obviously be greater than the allocation for 1950, because consumption is steadily rising.
Will they be sufficiently greater to make up for present under-deliveries?
Yes. I thought I had made it quite plain that the allocations will be sufficient to meet current consumption and to build up adequate winter stocks.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary consider some method of arbitration if the allocations which are made appear to be unsatisfactory to the users?
There is no need for arbitration because we shall try to the best of our ability to meet all requirements.
Distribution (Railways)
19.
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power to what extent the distribution of coal supplies is being retarded by delays on the railways.
There was some congestion on the railways in the early weeks of this year, due at first to the bad weather and later to heavy sickness among the railwaymen. As a result of measures adopted by the Railway Executive, the movement of coal has now improved.
Will the Minister look into this matter again? Is he aware that cases have been reported to me of truck loads of coal standing in sidings for four or five days within sight and almost within reach of houses whose inhabitants are crying out for it?
That may well be, but there would be a very good reason for those trucks remaining in the sidings.
Can my hon. Friend say to what particular districts he had in mind when referring to the delays which have taken place?
In general, more in those areas where the influenza epidemic was greatest.
Foreign Coals (Calorific Values)
22.
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what are the calorific values of the coal imported from the United States, India and Nigeria, compared with those of the corresponding grades of British coal.
Exact comparisons are difficult to make, but the American coals which have been purchased compare well with British coals. On an air-dried basis, the calorific value of the American large coal which has been bought varies from 13,500 to 14,300 British thermal units per pound; British large coal varies from 10,700 to 15,000 British thermal units per pound. The Indian and Nigerian coals are rather lower in calorific value than the average British steam-raising coal of the corresponding size.
Does the hon. Gentleman agree that the coal from India and Nigeria is therefore costing more than is indicated by the price?
It depends very largely on the price at which the Coal Board has purchased it.
Imports (Deliveries)
24.
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when the coal ordered from the United States and other countries will be delivered.
The National Coal Board expect that the greater part of the coal which they have purchased from abroad will have arrived in this country before the end of March. Up to 7th February, 260,000 tons had arrived from the United States.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary say what he means by "the greater part"? What does that mean in tonnage? Will he also say whether coal is at present being exported from this country and, if it is, whether he is satisfied that every economy is being made in shipping space?
Yes; coal is being exported and every economy is being made with shipping. "Greater part" means the major part of the whole.
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, owing to the lack of coordination and planning in the orders of coal and grain and in chartering shipping, there is grave congestion in the ports of this country, and that shipping has had to be diverted to Rotterdam, with the consequent increase in the cost of coal?
It is not as grave as all that.
Stocks (Information)
35.
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why instructions have been issued to local fuel overseers that they are not to give information regarding local stocks of fuel to interested persons.
No such instructions have been given to local fuel overseers. Information about local stocks of fuel can be obtained by those who want it from the regional offices of my Department.
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the answer he has just given is directly contrary to what is being said by local fuel overseers? If I give him particulars of a case will he look into them?
With pleasure.
Is the Minister aware that in some parts of the country fuel overseers have nothing to conceal from inquirers since they have no stocks, and that in my constituency, in the town of Rayleigh, it is a well-known thing that even where a person possesses a medical certificate for priority his needs cannot be met?