POWER COMING BACK

Grey River Argus, 21 February 1947, Page 2

POWER COMING BACK

IN ENGLISH MIDLANDS

Ice Floes off East Coast

LONDON, February 19.

Next Monday there is to be a general resumption for the use of power by industry in the Midlands on February 24. Mr Attlee told the House of Commons that, in spite of the weather, 3,747,000 tons of coal were produced last week—-119,000 tons above the corresponding week of 19-16. Stocks at power stations 1 were slowly but steadily building up. The resumption of industry depended on fully maintaining the restrictions on households and non-industrial consumers. He said the present restrictions on domestic and non-industrial users might raise a difficult problem. It. was desirable to spread the industrial load as much as possible by staggering working hours. The Government, would not. regard the situation as safe until a fortnight’s stock had been built up in the power stations in each area. The weather was still icy, and the getting and moving of coal was still ditlicult. The thaw, when it came, might, bring Hoods’ and fog.

Mr Attlee said he would as soon as possible state the position as to other areas. In the Midlands, industries might expect in the first fortnight alter the resumption of supplies to receive 30 per cent, of their allocation of solid fuel. Those who immediately before the cuts’ were receiving assistance from regional sources might expect to receive supplies on a scale arranged by adjustment in individual eases. ICE FLOES IN NORTH SEA

Ice floes in the North Sea are proving a menace to British trawlers and other shipping. The floes originally broke away from an icefield on the Dutch and Scandinavian coasts. All vessels returning front fishing grounds l are covered witn ice. One trawler had to return because its drinking water was frozen. Crews arriving at Lowestoft described the difficulties as unprecedented. The weather is so bitter that it is possible to work on deck for only 7 an hour at a time. FLOE NEARING YARMOUTH

A warning was broadcast to- ships that one huge ice floe is about o 0 miles eas't of Great Yarmouth, and is gradually drawing nearer. The floes, as they drift westward, are carrying away buoys marking wrecks and shipping channels. MOTOR INDUSTRY COAL QUESTS The Austin motor car factories would not be able to resume production for several week's unless they received an increased allocation of coal, said the Nuffield organisation. It was too early to estimate what ptoduction could be got from the new 30 per cent, allocation, but the management and workers would do their best. The Rover Company said it was hoped to re-start on February 2'4. Dunlop’s expressed doubts about the possibility of resuming full production.