§ 46. Mr. TINKERasked the Prime Minister if he has received a Resolution passed by the Tyldesley district council asking the Government to legislate in accordance with the Report of the Royal Commission on the Coal Industry, 1925, which states that local authorities should be empowered to engage in the retail sale of coal; and what steps he will take in the question?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, the Government have no present intention of proceeding with legislation on these lines.
§ Mr. TINKERIs the Prime Minister aware that this will cause disappointment to the taxpayers, who are expecting some benefit from the £23,000,000 spent on the subsidy?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am constantly causing disappointment.
§ 50. Mr. GARDNERasked the Secretary for Mines if he will state typical prices at which coal has recently been retailed by municipalities?
§ Colonel LANE FOXOnly a few local authorities have retailed coal during the emergency. I am unable to give typical prices.
§ Mr. GARDNERDo I understand from the right hon. Gentleman that profiteering in public needs is confined to private enterprise?
§ Colonel LANE FOXThe hon. Member must draw his own conclusions.