§ 36. Mr. Peytonasked the Minister of Power if, in view of the evidence given by the Chairman of the National Coal Board to the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries, he will state to what extent there will be a deficit this year and to what extent the industry will pay its way.
§ Mr. Frederick LeeI would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave on 28th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Dunfermline Burghs (Mr. Adam Hunter).
§ Mr. PeytonWould not the Minister agree that that Answer was a miracle of hedging and obscurity? Does he not think that he should not allow his loyalty to the Chairman of the National Coal Board to conceal from himself or from the House that the evidence given by the Chairman to the Select Committee was very misleading?
§ Mr. LeeThe Chairman of the National Coal Board must be understood as referring to the position which he expects to appear in the Board's published accounts after credit has been taken for the effect of capital reconstruction. For my part, I have no doubt that Lord Robens was anxious to assist the Select Committee as much as possible by giving his views even on matters of possible controversy.