CONSUMPTION AND STOCKS. 8. The consumption of all classes of coal-users for which statistics are so far available (principally public utilities, industry, railways and coke ovens) increased due to seasonal causes from a weekly average of 2,249,000 tons to one of 2,384,000 tons. This total, although 30,000 tons per week above the figure for October, 1941, is markedly less than was expected. The principal improvement has been shown by public utility undertakings which now appear to have reached the peak of their consumption apart from seasonal variations.