§ 26. Mr. Ralph Morleyasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will take steps to secure a uniform retail price for domestic coal throughout the country.
§ The Minister of Fuel and Power (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)No, Sir, this would not be practicable.
§ Mr. MorleyIs the Minister aware that in the South of England people pay 20s. to 30s. a ton more than people in the Midlands and North of England, and, since this is a nationalised industry, cannot some arrangement be made for pooling freightage charges in order to get a more uniform price for coal?
§ Mr. LloydNo, Sir. I am afraid that this is another matter in which one-half of the country thinks differently from the other half.
§ Sir Herbert WilliamsCan my right hon. Friend say what is the price paid per ton for what is known as concessionary coal?
§ Mr. DonnellyWill the Minister bear in mind that the whole question of a flat-rate for transport is much wider than just the distribution of coal, and will he give an assurance that the one question will not be raised without consideration of the whole matter?