asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the average increase during the period 1939–46 in ash content of coal supplied to electricity undertakings in the main areas of Great Britain.

I am advised by the Central Electricity Board that the average ash content of coal as received at generating stations under their control was 10.3 per cent in 1939 as compared with 13.3 per cent. in 1945. A figure for 1946 is not yet available.

Is the Minister aware that under the National Coal Board the dirt figures are definitely increasing, and will he see to it because, although it may look nice in our output figures, it does not help industry?

I do not agree at all that the dirt content is increasing under the National Coal Board. It was very bad under private enterprise during the last few years.

The Minister does not seem to be able to look forward; he always looks backwards.

I could, of course, give an answer to that.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if his attention has been called to the Nineteenth Annual Report of the Central Electricity Board in which reference is made to the increasing ash content of the coal supplied, resulting in a financial burden of £2,000,000 and loss of 380,000 kilowatts; and what steps he is taking to remedy this matter.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether his attention has been directed to the Annual Report of the Central Electricity Board and the statement that freight handling charges of inert material in coal, together with subsequent ash handling charges, resulted in an annual financial burden on the supply industry and consumers of over £2,000,000 and a loss in output capacity arising from the use of inferior coal of 380,000 kilowatts; and what steps he is taking to remedy this position.

I have received the report in question. The National Coal Board inform me that they are giving urgent consideration to the quality of coal marketed both as part of their long-term policy and as part of their shorter term arrangements.

Is the Minister aware that under free enterprise any manager who sends out bad stock would be dismissed, but under nationalisation there is no discipline which will prevent the consumers being exploited?

I should not care to enter into a discussion on the merits of private enterprise.

There is no answer.

Is it not a scandal that the public should have this inefficiency put on them?

This so-called inefficiency, if it is inefficiency at all, is a spill-over from private enterprise.

Will my right hon. Friend consider allowing the electricity undertakings to buy coal according to its calorific value, as they did before, because it would prevent this gross wastage?

Shortly I shall set up an industrial consumers' council, as provided for in the Act of Parliament, and they can deal with these matters.