§ 40. Lieut.-Commander Braithwaiteasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will furnish particulars showing how the £1,800,000 he received from the Railways Freight Rebates Fund for the 12 months ended 30th September, 1946, was utilised for purposes connected with the production and marketing of coal; and how he proposes to utilise the estimated amount of £2,387,000 payable to him in respect of the 12 months ending 30th September, 1947.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe £1,800,000 received from the Freight Rebates Fund in the year to 30th September, 1946, has been paid as to £554,000 to the Coal Charges Account in relief generally of the costs of coal production, and as to the balance to the Vote of the Ministry of Fuel and Power in diminution of subsidies which 354 have been paid to relieve consumers of part of the exceptional costs of conveyance of coal for inland use. The allocation of the further sums to be received has not yet been decided.