Britain: An official handbook > 1959

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BRITAIN: AN OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
and the reorganisation of the haulage systems. The National Coal Board has
launched a large programme of major reconstruction and new sinkings.
Until 1957 the coal industry suffered from a shortage of manpower. In 1957
manpower averaged 710,000, of whom 285,000 were workers at the coal face.
Marketing
Although the Board, as sole producer, makes the first sales of coal it has no
monopoly of distribution. In many cases it acts as a wholesaler and in a few areas
makes direct retail sales. Retail distribution is, for the most part, carried on by
private firms which, since the end of rationing of domestic coal in July 1958, after
nineteen years, have been free to sell in any quantity to any consumer, on a competi¬
tive basis without price restriction. Distribution of industrial coal has, for a number
of years, also been the subject of an allocation scheme, but this is being brought to
an end leaving the trade to operate on normal commercial lines.
Consumption and Overseas Trade
Coal consumption in Britain increased by an average annual rate of 3 million
tons between 1947 and 1956, and, to cover requirements, supplies had to be im¬
ported from the United States in certain years. In 1957, however, sales declined
by 5 million tons, mainly because of exceptional weather conditions, but also
reflecting increased efficiency in the use of fuel and the check to industrial produc¬
tion in the early part of the year. Imports fell to 2-9 million tons in 1957 from 11 -5
million tons in 1955, and no further contracts for imported coal have been placed.
Table 21 summarises the pattern of coal consumption in Britain in the years
1955-57. The electricity authorities took more than one-fifth of total supplies,
much of it in the form of small coal not suitable for other uses. Higher production
of pig iron has raised the requirements of coke ovens, which in 1957 absorbed
about 15 per cent of total supplies.
TABLE 21
Coal Consumption in the United Kingdom 1955-57
Million Tons
Gas . .
Electricity
Railways
Coke ovens . .
Iron and steel
Engineering and other industries
Domestic and miscellaneous
Totals
1955
27-9
42-9
12-2
27-0
6-5
34-2
64-5
215-2
1956
27-8
45-6
12-1
29-3
6-1
33-3
64-2
218-4
1957
26-4
46-5
11-4
30- 7
5-6
31- 9
60-7
213-2
Source: National Coal Board.
Exports have been reduced substantially in relation to pre-war as a result of
the large increase in internal consumption. In 1957, they amounted to 6-6 million
tons, the principal markets being Denmark, the Irish Republic, France and the
Netherlands. Including coke and briquettes, the value of exports in that year was
£61-8 million.