§ 27. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Minister of Power if he will issue a general direction to the National Coal Board to publish details of payments still being made by the Board to owners of private railway lines which serve collieries, indicating in each case how much has been paid out since nationalisation of the coal industry.
§ Mr. FreesonI have asked the Chairman of the National Coal Board to write to my hon. Friend giving him the details.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs my hon. Friend aware that I have written to the Coal Board and that it has refused to give the details? Has his attention been drawn to the ridiculous situation in Fife, where the railway, serving four or five collieries, is half publicly-owned and half privately-owned by a gentleman, Captain Wemyss? Why is he leaving this situation as it is, and why does he not take the privately-owned part into public ownership?
§ Mr. FreesonI cannot answer my hon. Friend's latter point, except to say that I am aware of the fifty/fifty ownership. I was not aware that there had been any refusal of information. Before a reply could be given to the question, I understand that consultation with about 17 areas would be involved. We are asking for the information to be supplied.