§ 12. Captain DOUGLAS HALLasked the Secretary to the Board of Trade if the Controller of Coal Mines is aware that the inhabitants of the Isle of Wight have suffered hardships for some time owing to the price of coal, now retailed at about £3 per ton in the island; and if he can see his way to take any action in the matter, with a view to alleviating the distress caused by these prices?
Mr. ROBERTSI would refer the hon. Member to the letter which was addressed to him on 27th July last, informing him that the local authorities in the Isle of Wight had not availed themselves of an offer made by the merchants at the instance of the Board of Trade to come to an arrangement for the limitation of retail coal prices, and to furnish information to justify such prices as were proposed. The price which the hon. Member quotes indicates a substantial increase as compared with those of which complaint has previously been made, and the Controller of Coal Mines is again drawing the attention of the local authorities to the desirability of an understanding with the merchants similar to those existing in other localities.
§ Captain HALLWill the hon. Gentleman send me a copy of that letter, which, I have never received?