Coal and Steel
It is no doubt a coincidence, but a singularly instructive one, that the same week should bring news of the worst coal output and the best steel output of the year. Though easy, it would be quite unfair to credit the results to nationalisation on the one hand and private enterprise on the other, and draw conclusions accordingly. But neither would it be right to ignore that aspect of the situation entirely. Both industries have been affected by holidays, and it is to be noted that the steel figures cover the whole month of July (which is regu- larly the " worst " holiday month) and the coal figures only the Bank Holiday week of August. The effect of the loss of one whole day out of rather more than five is bound to be considerable. None the less such a figure as 2,373,600 tons, as against the necessary weekly average of 4,000,000 tons, comes as a considerable shock. For the previous week there was a substantial rise in voluntary absenteeism, another significant and unsatisfactory symptom. For a detailed and official exposition of the reasons why the coal industry is so gravely disappointing all reasonable expectations it will be necessary to await the forthcoming report of the Burrows Committee. But the hard fact remains that the miners are getting higher pay, working shorter hours and producing less coal than six years ago. No one can remain content with that situation. Meanwhile it is a fantastic irony that Ministers who are constrained to go from platform to platform defending the miners' inadequate performance are preparing to lay predatory hands on the steel industry, which has never in its history served the country better.
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