§ 15. Mr. Keelingasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether Durham miners receiving an average of 14½ tons of free coal per year and Northumberland miners receiving an average of 12 tons, may also, as members of the public, register with, and buy additional coal from, a coal merchant.
§ The Minister of Fuel and Power (Mr. Shinwell)There is no legal prohibition on the registration of miners' premises with coal merchants but, in general, those which receive free or cheap miners' coal are not so registered.
§ Mr. KeelingDo the Government intend to continue this dual source of supply which is made use of and which enables miners to receive so much more coal than other members of the public?
§ Mr. ShinwellThere is not any dual source of supply. It is very rarely that miners who receive this free or cheap coal under the usual district agreements exercise their right.
§ Mr. GlanvilleWill my right hon. Friend attempt, by all possible means, to convince hon. Members opposite that there is no such thing as free coal, and that it is part of the wages?