HC Deb 01 May 1950 vol 474 cc1401-2
43. Sir H. Williams

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he is taking to prevent the Lancashire coal miners from reselling their concessionary coal

Mr. P. Noel-Baker

None, Sir.

Sir H. Williams

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind, when considering fair shares for all, that these people are receiving four times as much coal as most people? Does he not think that he ought to take steps to see that they do not resell it at a large profit?

Mr. Noel-Baker

Miners need a great deal more coal than other people owing to the nature of their occupation. [HON. MEMBERS: " Oh !" I Of course they do. The existing orders and regulations are quite adequate to prevent anything of the kind that the hon. Gentleman has in mind.

Mr. Tom Brown

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a great deal more honesty and scrupulousness in the Lancashire miner than there is in the hon. Gentleman who put down the Question?

Sir H. Williams

The Minister said that the existing regulations were adequate. Will he tell us precisely what they are?

Mr. Noel-Baker

They are rather bulky. There are the Retail Coal Prices Order, 1941, and the Coal Distribution Order, 1943—I will send the hon. Member copies.

Sir H. Williams

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that the miners know them all?