§ 7. Captain R. TERRELLasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the diversity of rates for coal in the country districts where the facilities for cartage are the same; why in some villages coal is 10s. 6d. more than in adjoining villages which happen to be in the district of a different fuel controller; and can he take any steps to rectify this?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe retail prices of house coal depend upon many factors besides the cost of cartage, but if my hon. and gallant Friend will furnish particulars of cases where there is a difference of 10s. 6d. per ton in the price of coal in adjoining villages, I will cause inquiries to be made.
§ Mr. BILLINGAs this coal question is one which the Government is more or less controlling, will the hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of trying to introduce a standard rate?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI do not quite understand what the hon. Member means by a standard rate, but if he will communicate with me as to what is in his mind, I shall be very glad to consider it.