HC Deb 22 February 1938 vol 332 cc159-60
4. Miss Ward

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the fact that the price of coal charged by the merchants to the consumers is not a matter which is properly a subject for the investigating committees, he will consider meeting the generally expressed wishes of the House and have an independent inquiry into the whole question?

5. Mr. Lewis

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will set up a departmental inquiry into the present methods of the sale of coal by colliery companies and, in particular, into the practice of selling through the medium of contractors or other subsidiary firms in which the colliery companies in question have a large financial interest?

Captain Crookshank

In reply, I would refer to the answer given by the Prime Minister on 17th February to a question by the hon. Member for Gower (Mr. Grenfell) to which at present I have nothing to add.

Miss Ward

Shall we have very long to wait before we hear the final decision?

Captain Crookshank

My hon. Friend must ask the Prime Minister. He answers those questions.