HC Deb 19 May 1958 vol 588 cc888-9
45. Mr. A. Roberts

asked the Paymaster-General what steps he proposes to take to prevent an uneven distribution of domestic coal throughout the country.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Power (Sir Ian Horobin)

This is now secured by the House Coal Distribution Scheme. The National Coal Board and the distributive trade are at present studying alternative arrangements for distribution of supplies when decontrol becomes possible.

Mr. Roberts

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that much of this trouble and many of these difficulties are blamed on the industry itself, and does he not think that the distribution of coal should be fully under the control of the National Coal Board?

Sir I. Horobin

I am not certain what the hon. Member means by that. I would certainly agree that the sooner all concerned in this industry look upon the sale of their products as a commercial proposition the better for everybody.