§ 27. Mr. BOOTHBYasked the Secretary for Mines whether His Majesty's Government is taking any action to prevent profiteering in coal imported from abroad during the present crisis?
§ Sir H. BARNSTONI have been asked to reply. The policy of His Majesty's Government is to encourage the import of foreign coal on private account by leaving the market free. If his policy should lead to abuses, we shall have to deal with them, hut nothing has happened yet that would justify me in anticipating them.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONWith reference to the last part of the hon. Baronet's answer, is he not aware that the Home Secretary himself has had particulars supplied to him of gross profiteering, and he promised that he would look into the matter?
§ Mr. BOOTHBYDoes the Secretary for Mines consider that a price ranging from 55s. to 66s. per ten, and even 70s., is fair for German imported coal?
Mr. RICHARDSONIs the hon. Member aware that some of the corporations have admitted publicly, and have told the public through the press, that they are paying more than three times as much for coal as they were paying prior to the stoppage?
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYMay I put it, as a point of Order, that Tuesday is the day which has been arranged through the usual channels for putting questions to the Secretary fur Mines, and here we have a series of questions which the Secretary for Mines should be here to answer?
§ Major BARNSTONMy right hon. Friend is engaged upstairs on the Standing Committee.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYMay I submit that these Committees should not sit during Question Time, 1021 because hon. Members are deprived of their right to interrogate Ministers? Are we to be deprived of our right to receive replies from Ministers?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONCan any answer be given to the supplementary questions put by the hon. Member for Aberdeenshire (Mr. Boothby)? Surely some hon. Members of the Government can answer on a question of policy.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYMay I give notice that I. shall repeat this question this day week?
§ Mr. MACQUISTENHave we any control over the price which the Germans charge for their coal?
Captain BENNOn a point of Order. I wish to ask have we no redress if the Government set Committees sitting during Question Time, and require Ministers to sit upstairs? Has this House no redress, and are we bound to submit to the absence of Ministers?
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSIs it not a fact that the Government does not determine the times when these Committees sit, and are they not their own masters in that respect?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is quite true, but I think the desire of hon. Members will be conveyed to the Prime Minister.
§ Mr. J. JONESIs not the real reason that the Secretary for Mine is incapable of answering these, questions?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a grossly disorderly remark. Will the hon. Member withdraw it, or withdraw himself from the House?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member has made it worse, and I must call upon him to withdraw from the House.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member did not withdraw it, and I must order him to withdraw from the House.
§ The hon. .Member accordingly withdrew.