NEARLY 2,000,000 WORKERS IDLE AS RESULT OF POWER RESTRICTIONS

Chronicle (Levin), 14 February 1947, Page 5

NEARLY 2,000,000 WORKERS IDLE AS RESULT OF POWER RESTRICTIONS

Press Assn.

By Telegraph

-Copyright

Received Friday, 10.1*0 a.m. k LONDON, February 13. Mr. Attlee, speaking in the House of Commons, said that 78,000 tons of coal had been saved in the first three days of the power restrictions. The percentage of coal saved yesterday, compared with the norma! daily consumption, had risen to 37 per cent. from 33 per cent. on February 10. _ "The situation remains very critical/' added the Prime Minister.

Mr. Attlee said that the six big London power stations had only enough coal for a week ih normal conditions. Elsewhere stations had about d nine days' supply. The stocks of gas undertakings were also giving cause for anxiety, partieularly in London where there was only enough for about nine and a-half da*'s. About 1,750,000 persons were out of work in the areas where industrial power was restricted, and about 1,000,000 of them were claim•ng the unemployment benefit. Mr. Attlee said that the rebuilding of stocks to a safety level depended on the movement of coal by rail and sea. Twelve ships with 21,000 tons had alreadv arrived in London. Fifty-one had left northeastern ports between noon on February 11 and noon today, while thirty were about to leave. Restricted railwav nassenger services would enable the railways to move more coal, and the position should improve if production at the pitsj was not held up by the shortage ; of rolling stock. The total of 1,750,000 unemployed,' because of the restrictions, repre-{ sented about one-third of the num- j ber of insured workers employed ini manufacturing industries in the ; restricted areas, and about onequarter of the corresponding number throughout the country. "It is impossible to say now when' we will get back to normal," con- j cluded Mr. Attlee. *