§ 102. Mr. NEEDHAMasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the statement made at a recent conference held in the Manchester town hall that coal was going from the Manchester district to Durham and to Newcastle, and that coal was coming from these districts to Lancashire; whether this movement has close connection with the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act; and what steps he will take in this matter?
§ Mr. PRETYMANMy attention has been called to the statement in question. In the only important case of which I am aware in which Northumberland coal is being sent to Manchester I do not think that any question of price was involved. I cannot trace having received any particulars of coal from the Manchester district being sent to Durham and Newcastle.
§ Mr. PRINGLEWill the hon. Gentleman make inquiries? The hon. Member who put the question has information showing that the coal has passed.
§ Mr. PRETYMANI answered that we cannot trace any such passage of coal. We have made inquiries.