§ 20. Mr. Emeryasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that executive boards set up under the Coal Selling Scheme have adopted certain standard conditions for the sale of coal without any consultation with the owners of public utility undertakings, or anybody representative of any class of consumers; and what action he proposes to take to secure public protection and especially to public utility undertakings?
§ Mr. GrenfellI understand that some consultation did, in fact, take place without, however, any satisfactory result. A further meeting to discuss this matter has now been arranged for 7th March between the Conjoint Conference of Public Utility Undertakings and owners' representatives of the colliery districts concerned.
§ 21. Mr. Emeryasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of the serious position which is likely to arise in Salford if supplies of coal are not available for the gas undertaking; that the Midland (Amalgamated) Selling Scheme refuses to accept the usual conditions of the corporation when placing contracts, including the fair wages clause; and will he give a general direction, under the Coal Supply Order, 1940, which will prevent coal- owners varying, to the disadvantage of the consumer, conditions on which coal is offered for sale during the present emergency?
§ Mr. GrenfellThe question of contract conditions is primarily one for discussion and settlement between the parties, and I trust that negotiations will not be so 755 prolonged as to involve any dangerous diminution in stocks which at present are exceptionally good at Salford.