HC Deb 25 July 1949 vol 467 cc1813-4
57. Lord John Hope

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why the price of steam small dross ex hoppers at Newbattle Colliery has been raised by 1s. 6d. per ton although the price of steam small dross itself has been reduced by 1s. 3d. per ton.

Mr. Gaitskell

This is a matter of the day-to-day administration of the National Coal Board and I have no information about it. I will, however, ask the Board to write to the noble Lord.

Lord John Hope

Does not the Minister think it was slightly unfortunate that, instead of being told straight away that the price had been raised, the customers of the colliery were given encouraging figures showing that it had dropped and were afterwards told the truth, that there was a rise in price?

Mr. Gaitskell

That is really a matter of detail, and it is very much better that the National Coal Board should deal directly with the noble Lord.