§ 10. Mr. ROWLANDSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the further rise in the price of household coal; and whether the investigation has taken place and, if so, when may action on the Report be expected?
Mr. ROBERTSONI am aware that the price of household coal in London has again been raised. A Committee has been appointed to inquire into the causes of the rise in the retail price of coal sold for domestic use, especially to the poorer classes of consumers in London and other centres. The members of the Committee are Mr. Vaughan Nash, as chairman, Professor Ashley, my hon. Friend the Member for Woolwich, Mr. J. J. Dent, Mr. A. W. Flux, and Mr. Stanley Machin. I cannot at present say when the Committee will complete their inquiries, but they are fully aware of the urgency of the matter.
§ Mr. ROWLANDSHas the Committee commenced its sittings yet?
§ Mr. ROWLANDSWill the Board expedite the sittings at once?
§ Mr. YEOIs the hon. Gentleman, aware there is a great influx of coal into London just now, and will he take some steps to advise the public not to buy so as to bring the colliery owners to their senses?