Outcrop Coal Prospects
One of the more encouraging elements in the generally discouraging story of British coal production in war-time has been the success which has attended the getting of opencast or " outcrop " coal, which has recently contributed at the rate of 12 million tons a year to the total output. It had been hoped that this production might be considerably increased and ease the general shortage, and it is there- fore disappointing to know that there is likely to be no increase during the next twelve months. The chief reason for this, according to a report issued by the Opencast Coal Mission sent to the United States by the Ministry of Works, is that some of the equipment sent by America under Lend-Lease is of a type that is regarded as obsolete in that country, and that neither this equipment nor that which has been produced in Britain can be maintained without spares that are lacking. There is here not the slightest reflection on the United States Government, which explicitly stated that this machinery was all that could be spared ; what was spared was extremely welcome. The remedy for the present situation is to give priority for the making of new and better machines and more spare parts, though obviously this will take time if the work has to be begun from the start in this country. This point in the report has received more than its share of publicity, and should not conceal the fact that the Mission, having examined American methods, has many recommendations to make regarding operation, with a view to greater economy and efficiency.
Previous page
