§ 13. Mr. SITCHasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that fuel overseers or other local administrators are denied the power, without the consent of the Coal Controller, to check the price or to examine the books of registered merchants for transactions under the Coal Prices (Limitations) Act or Wholesale Coal Prices Order; and whether, in the interests of the consumer, he will consider the desirability of inquiries being made at the time of the sale by the officers of local authorities on the spot, rather than the inquiry being left to six representatives of the Coal Controller, who cannot, after the transaction has taken place, obtain reliable evidence of any overcharge?
§ Sir A. GEDDESFuel overseers and local representatives of the Coal Controller do, in fact, investigate transactions coming under the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act, 1915, and the Wholesale Coal Prices Order and report any irregularities to the Coal Mines Department. The measures provided have been in force for some time, and the procedure, adopted for securing compliance is working satisfactorily.