HC Deb 20 April 1915 vol 71 cc173-4
49. Mr. ANDERSON

asked the Prime Minister what action the Government proposes to take in regard to coal prices in view of the report of the Coal Committee?

53. Mr. HOGGE

asked the Prime Minister if he will state what steps the Government intends to take on the Coal Committee's Report?

148. Mr. DUNCAN MILLAR

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the burden imposed upon the poorer classes of consumers by the increase in the price of household and gas coal, and to the opinion expressed by the Committee appointed by him to inquire into the causes of the present rise in the retail price of coal that the conduct of an industry on which such great national interests depend cannot safely be left in a time of crisis to the working of an unregulated system of supply and demand, he can state what steps he proposes to take to carry out the recommendations of the Committee, and particularly the recommendation that the Government should consider a scheme for assuming control of the output of collieries during the continuance of the War?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer these questions. I am not in a position to make any statement at the moment, but I hope to do so very shortly. Steps have already been taken to act on two of the Committee's recommendations.

Mr. DUNCAR MILLAR

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us which of the two recommendations the Government propose to adopt?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

It is not certain that we shall not act on all of them; but on two of them we have already taken preliminary steps.

Mr. DUNCAN MILLAR

Which recommendations are they?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

If my hon Friend will put a question down on the Paper I will give him a full answer.