§ 12. Mr. Palmerasked the Paymaster-General if he will state the progress made in carrying through the recommendation of the Robson Committee on coal distribution that retail depots should be concentrated, giving the number and names of appointed representatives for the preparation of schemes, divided according to allegiance to co-operative societies, private traders and the National Coal Board.
§ 32. Mr. Woofasked the Paymaster-General what consideration his Department has given to the recommendation contained in Command Paper No. 446, that to improve coal distribution there should be a concentration of trade into 8 a smaller number of larger depots; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir I. HorobinMy noble Friend brought the Robson Committee Report to the attention of the coal trade and a number of schemes are under discussion between them and the railways. We are still awaiting their considered views.
§ Mr. PalmerWill the hon. Gentleman agree that it was a recommendation of the Robson Committee that this should be done within twelve months and that it is now twelve months since that Committee reported? Cannot the Department hurry the matter up?
§ Sir I. HorobinIt does not rest only with the Department. We have set the machinery in motion. Perhaps I might draw the attention of the hon. Gentleman to the fact that the co-operative society representative—not private enterprise—has pointed out that there are extreme difficulties in the matter, and they have to be considered very carefully if the schemes are to be of any use. One of the troubles is that the schemes are likely to produce any saving only in big towns, and that is precisely where the possibility of the Clean Air Act making large capital expenditure unremunerative is a factor. However, the discussions are proceeding as quickly as possible.