§ 90. Mr. Bateyasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that an inquiry before the Midland Committee of Investigation is pending with respect to an increase in the price of coal supplied to the Leicester Corporation electricity department, and that the inquiry is in respect of increases from 2s. 9d. and 3s. 10d. per ton, respectively, to 6s. per ton in both cases; and whether he will take steps to prevent the further sale of coal to public utility concerns at prices which render impossible the payment of wages to miners at a proper level?
§ The Secretary for Mines (Captain Crookshank)I am aware that a complaint has been lodged by the Leicester Corporation with the Midland District Committee of Investigation. As regards the second part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member that the amendments to the district schemes which were introduced last year were designed to make possible the payment of better wages.
§ Mr. BateyWill the Secretary for Mines see that this thing does not occur again seeing that miners' wages are regulated by the price of coal?