§ 7. Sir J. LONSDALEasked the President of the Board of Trade if inquiries have been made into the complaints of excessive prices by consumers of coal in Belfast; and if he proposes to take any action in the matter.
Mr. RUNCIMANI have been in further communication with the Belfast Corporation on the subject since the hon. Baronet's question on the 22nd December last. Their reasons for not accepting the report of their first committee, to which reference was made in the answer to the hon. Baronet's previous question, are not altogether clear to me, and I do not at present see my way to intervene in the matter.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that unless the Government control freights Ireland cannot obtain advantage from the Price of Coal Limitation Act?
Mr. RUNCIMANI quite recognise that Ireland is in a position of disadvantage with regard to the supply of coal, and what is intended is to prevent coal prices rising to abnormal figures. With regard to the cross-Channel traffic I will have to make inquiry.