§ 83. Sir O. PHILIPPSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Coal Control Department are discriminating unfairly between different taxpayers in the price at which coal is being sold to them; and whether he will at once take steps to see that this abuse is remedied, arid that British taxpayers purchasing coal in Great Britain for consumption by British subjects are treated with absolute impartiality?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD or TRADE (Mr. Bridge-man)I presume that my hon. Friend refers to the prices charged for bunker coal. I would point out that coal for use on any ship was excluded from the benefit of the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act, which was passed in 1915, for the purpose of limiting the price of coal for inland consumption. My right hon. Friend indicated in the House on Monday, however, that the question of restricting bunker prices is at present receiving his careful consideration.
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANAs prompt as possible.