§ 18. Mr. Palmerasked the Paymaster-General if he will now bring to an end the arrangement under which his Department still exercises control over coal prices and give to the National Coal Board full responsibility for price determinations.
§ Mr. MaudlingNo, Sir. The purpose of the "Gentleman's Agreement" was approved by the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries, although they questioned its informality, and my noble Friend considers that purpose equally important today.
§ Mr. PalmerWill the right hon. Gentleman not agree that the Select Committee oil Nationalised Industries recommended commercial freedom for the Coal Board subject to reserve direction by the Minister? In view of the increasingly competitive conditions which the Coal Board is facing, will not the Minister look at the matter once again?
§ Mr. MaudlingMy noble Friend is always very willing to look at this or any other matter again on representations from hon. Members, but, as far as I can recall, what the Select Committee was concerned about was not so much the existence of the control as the method by which it was enforced. I may be wrong.
§ Mr. RobensDoes this gentlemen's agreement apply to the prices to be charged for coal or coke for export?
§ Mr. MaudlingI am afraid I do not know the answer to that offhand, but its general purpose, of course, is to control pithead prices of coal. My impression is that in export matters there is maximum freedom for the Coal Board. I will look into it to ensure that is so.