BRITISH COAL SUPPLIES

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24911, 26 June 1946, Page 7

BRITISH COAL SUPPLIES

POSITION CAUSING CONCERN

EFFECT ON INDUSTRIAL RECOVERY (Special Correspondent N.Z.P-Aj LONDON, June 24. The coal fuel supply position m Britain continues to cause anxiety both tp the Government and leaders of industry, and is still the unknown quantity in all estimates of industrial recovery prospects. Mr William Shearer chairman of the Midland Counties Electrical Supply Company, estimates that gas and electricity supply companies have at present only a fortnight’s reserve supply of coal, the iron and steel industries less than one week, the light engineering industries less than • two weeks, cement manufacturers two weeks, food manufacturers two weeks, and brewers between two and three weeks. Mr Shearer pointed out that gas and electric companies are the principal suppliers of light, heat, and power to homes and industry, and that before the war at least a 10 weeks' reserve coal supply was considered necessary before starting the winter period. This year, Mr Shearer estimates, companies will be fortunate if they have a four weeks’ supply reserve by October 31. Meanwhile, figures for the period from January to April this year disclose that coal consumption by gas and electricity companies has increased by 50,000 tops a week.

The Minister of Fuel (Mr E. Shinwell) will address a union conference on Thursday, when he ir expected to make a frank statement on the coal supply situation, which is known to be causing the Government considerable anxiety.