57. Miss LEEasked the Secretary for Mines if he will set up a committee of inquiry into the wide discrepancy between the retail price of coal and the price charged at the pithead?
§ Mr. SHINWELLI understand that representatives of the Coal Merchants' Federation and of coalowners are now discussing proposals which are designed to improve the methods and so reduce the costs of retail coal distribution. I propose to await the result of these negotiations. If they are unsuccessful I will give further consideration to the suggestion contained in my hon. Friend's question.