HC Deb 09 December 1926 vol 200 c2263
69. Captain GARRO-JONES

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will publish full records of his official conversations and correspondence with the London Coal Merchants Federation since January, 1925?

The SECRETARY for MINES (Colonel Lane Fox)

No, Sir. I do not think that the publication of these documents would serve any useful purpose.

Captain GARRO-JONES

Would it not be a useful purpose for the Government to dispel the suspicion, if that be possible, that the right hon. Gentleman was very partial to the coal merchants?

Colonel LANE FOX

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will ask me any questions, in an effort to dispel that suspicion, I will do my best to answer him.

Captain GARRO-JONES

Is not this the best effort I can make to help the right hon. Gentleman to dispel the suspicion? What is the objection to publishing the document?

Colonel LANE FOX

I think that the hon. and gallant Gentleman can do better than that.