35. Miss Wardasked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many applications have been received from coal merchants for compensation for replacement of bad quality coal; what was the total sum applied for; and the total amount paid.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerThe hon. Lady is no doubt referring to the procedure described in the annual reports of the National Coal Board whereby, in cases where complaints about quality of coal are well-founded, the Board give the merchants a price allowance which they can pass on to their customers. I am sure the hon. Lady will understand that, as these are day-to-day commercial transactions between the coal merchants and the National Coal Board, it would not be right for me to ask for the information she desires.
Miss WardAm I to understand from that reply that the Minister has never measured the quality of coal supplied by coal merchants by inquiring how much compensation the merchants have had to pay to their customers? If I am right in my observation, I think the right hon. Gentleman has failed in his duty concerning the quality of coal.
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is a hypothetical matter. The hon. Lady said, "If I am right in my observation," and so on. That is purely hypothetical.