§ 67. Mr. ANDERSONasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the Glasgow Corporation, in their new coal contract, have been obliged to pay increased prices of from sixty per cent. to seventy per cent.; whether he will obtain information as to the prices at which the municipal authorities have renewed their coal contracts for this year; and whether, in view of the position being created for some of the vital municipal and industrial enterprises, he will endeavour to get enforced the main recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Retail Coal Prices?
Mr. RUNCIMANI have been requested by my right hon. Friend to answer this question. As I have stated at various times in this House, effect has already been given to the majority of the recommendations of the Departmental Committee, and, as I informed my hon. Friend, the Member for the Dartford Division, yesterday, I am in negotiation with colliery owners with reference to the pit-head prices of coal. I will consider the hon. Gentleman's suggestion that information should be obtained with reference to the contract prices for coal paid by municipal authorities.