§ 63. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Secretary for Mines if he can state any reasons why the selling price of coal in London is, approximately, 1s. 6d. per ton more than it was for the corresponding month last year; whether he is prepared to call a conference of the large London coal importers with a view of trying to ascertain who is responsible for the high prices of selling coal and who is responsible for the thousands of trucks of coal being delayed on the railways between the collieries and London?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Colonel Lane Fox)The stocking of coal, both by merchant and householder, that ordinarily takes place before the winter sets in but was impossible last year, is vital to the normal course of the winter trade in household coal in London; failing that, normal conditions cannot be restored until the cold weather is over. But I am glad to note that prices seem to be steadily falling. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has already held such a conference as the hon. Member suggests, and arrangements were made for co-operation between the railways and the merchants in such a way as to get rid of traffic delays as far as possible.
§ Mr. PALINGWith regard to the latter part of the question and the tremendous number of complaints about the 2009 delay on the railways, is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to put into operation the recommendations of the Coal Commission about the pooling of wagons?
§ Colonel LANE FOXI think we had better wait and see what the arrangements that have been made bring forth.
§ Mr. PALINGMay I ask when we are likely to come to an end of the period of "Wait and see" with regard to this matter?
§ Colonel LANE FOXI hope when we get to a normal period following the stoppage.
§ Mr. PALINGCan the right hon. Gentleman indicate when that will be?