§ 35. Mr. Croninasked the Paymaster-General if he will take steps to widen the differential between the retail prices of large and small coals without increasing the average price of coal.
§ Sir I. HorobinCoals are not classified by size alone for the purpose of retail sales, but my noble Friend has the relative scarcity of the larger sizes well in mind.
§ Mr. CroninAs the Government have so far refused to allow the National Coal Board to reduce the price of small coals, can the hon. Gentleman assure the House that this accumulation of £34 million worth of small coal is not a move to prejudice miners' wage claims in future?
§ Sir I. HorobinI do not know on what grounds the hon. Member makes the assertion that the Government have so far refused to allow the National Coal Board to reduce any prices.