§ 14. Mr. HARDIEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the question of buying coal by its thermal value has been considered by his Department in relation to gas manufacture?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEThe basis upon which coal is purchased for the manufacture of gas is not a matter in which the Board of Trade have any jurisdiction. I am, of course, aware that the thermal value of the coal is one of the important factors in relation to its suitability for gas making.
§ Mr. HARDIECan the right hon. Gentleman tell me what has happened to the Committee spoken of the last time this question was discussed in the House, when he said it was being referred to a Committee? The Secretary for Mines also stated that they were going to consider the thermal value of the coal supplied to gas workers, and I want to know if that has been done?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEThe Committee to which I referred has not only been set up, but it has made its Report. It was a Committee dealing generally with charging for gas by therms. The Board of Trade had a meeting with the gas companies.
§ Mr. HARDIECan I get an answer as to the truth of my statement that the right hon. Gentleman said it would be referred to and dealt with by a Committee which would deal with the thermal value of coal? I notice from the Report of the Committee that they have not dealt with that point.
§ Mr. J. JONESMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman why the men employed in the gas works have not been consulted in addition to the gas companies?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEThe gas companies are the people who sell the gas to the public.
§ Mr. J. JONESBut we make it.