HC Deb 18 December 1933 vol 284 c908
34. Mr. T. SMITH

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is satisfied that there is an adequate supply of household coal in the London area and that, in view of the extra demand consequent upon the prevailing weather, there will be no undue increase in the price?

Mr. E. BROWN

I have consulted the Coal Merchants' Federation who have assured me that there are adequate supplies of house coal in the London area. I would remind the hon. Member that I have no control over the price of coal, but I understand that there has been no general increase in the retail prices in London since last September.

Mr. SMITH

Is the hon. Member satisfied that the price of household coal is reasonable seeing that it is one and a half times more than is paid for it at the pit head?

Mr. BROWN

That is a question which would take a long time to answer.