FUEL PROBLEMS

Grey River Argus, 5 June 1942, Page 1

FUEL PROBLEMS

BRITAIN SETS UP SPECIAL CONTROL. 8.0.W. RUGBY, June 3. The Government has decided to set up a Ministry of Fuel, Light and Power. This Ministry will take over the functions of the Mines Department Petroleum Department, and have transferred to it the responsibilities connected with electricity and gas, now assigned to the Board of Trade. Major Gwilym Lloyd George has beer, appointed to tne new Ministry. Messrs Geoffrey Lloyd and Tom Smith will act as joint Parliamentary Secretaries. The change will bring under the control of a single Cabinet Minister the functions of Government in relation to th e production and consumption of fuel and power, which at present are divided on coal and its consumption, whether directly used or in the form of electricity or gas.

Major Lloyd George has been succeeded as Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food by Mr. William Mabone.

A White Paper announces that a National Coal Board wiD be established, and regional controllers appointed with full responsibility in their regions. They will 1 be advised and assisted by Regional Coal Boards. Coal-mining will be added to the list of priority industries in preference to military service. No. more exminers will be .withdrawn at this stage from the armed forces for work in mines.

Pit production committees will' assist pit managers to secure the maximum output. Absenteeism and persistent lateness will be made offences subject to summary prosecution. A' system will be developed orjl a national basis, and by a proper-ly-constituted National Board, for dealing with .wages and conditions. The industrial) consumption of coal will be reduced by improved consumption methods, and by organised allocation of domestic fue.l. Rationing will not be imposed immediately, although all the necessary preparations will be undertaken to decrease consumption. The main provision is the limitation to seven and a-hali. hundredweight per person per year. SMALL WAGE RISE. HIGHER COAL PRICES. SUBSIDY FOR COAL OWNERS. (Rec. 11.45) LONDON, June 3. The White Paper on coal does not mention miners’ wages. The "Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says: There is reason to believe that the Government has decided in favour of increased wages, and also of the national minimum wage for the industry. The Government is believed to have accepted the coal owners’ view that the industry cannot afford any substantial wage increase,

and the Government will also authorise that on the ooorer coalfields the owners can raise coal prices. Th o' Government vzill also grant a Government subsidy /to the coal Industry. •