§ 55. Captain GARRO-JONESasked the Secretary for Mines why, in view of the fact that retail coal prices seemed to him to require some explanation from the Coal Merchants' Federation, he has decided, since hearing theirex partestatement, to take no further action?
§ Major HENNESSY (for Colonel Lane-Fox)I have been asked to reply. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will examine the answer given him on 17th February, he will see that the inference drawn by him in this question is ill-founded.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that in the answer he mentions, no reference was made to any information which had beer., considered other than information given by the Coal Merchants' Federation? I am asking what other information was taken into consideration besides that ex parte statement?
§ Major HENNESSYIn the reply of 17th February, my hon. and gallant Friend explained that he had seen the represent- 929 tatives of the coal merchants and discussed with them the dissatisfaction of the public with the retail price of coal. They explained the position from their point of view and gave my hon. and gallant Friend an analysis of their items of cost which, my hon. and gallant Friend says, he will be glad to communicate to the House.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESIf the position was such as to require an explanation from the coal merchants, was it not also sufficiently urgent to call for an explanation from the consumers?
§ Major HENNESSYThat is a totally different question. Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will put it down on the Paper.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESThat is exactly i he question I have down on the Paper.