§ 33. Mr. Tinkerasked the Secretary for Mines whether he has considered the resolution from the Atherton District Council, asking for information from him on the recent increase of 1s. 6d. per ton in Lancashire; and will he consider making a statement, so that the public will be fully informed of why this was done?
§ Mr. GrenfellI have received the resolution in question. The increase in coal prices in Lancashire to which reference is made was authorised after full consideration of recent ascertainments for the colliery district and with due regard to the vital necessity of maintaining coal production in this area. It would not be in the public interest to give details of these ascertainments, but I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a letter recently sent to the hon. Member for Moss Side (Mr. Rostron Duckworth), the hon. Member for Clayton (Mr. Jagger) and the hon. Member for Ince (Mr. G. Macdonald) fully explaining the position.