§ 32. Mr. Fitchasked the Paymaster-General what action he proposes to take on the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Coal Distribution Costs in Great Britain.
§ Sir I. HorobinMost of the recommendations of the Committee related to the administration of price control, which has now been abolished. My noble Friend has kept in touch with price movements since decontrol, and he considers that the responsibility for prices should be left to the retail trade in competition with each other and other fuels. The recommendation on mechanisation is still under consideration.
§ Mr. FitchIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Robson Report reveals that 37 per cent. of the cost of domestic coal is due to transport and merchants' margins? In view of that, does he not think the matter needs further investigation?
§ Sir I. HorobinThe Robson Report findings were quite the reverse. The Committee says in terms that it does not think that the charges for wholesale services are open to serious criticism.