§ 21. Mr. Eadieasked the Minister of Power if he will make a statement concerning his meetings with the chairman of the National Coal Board on the future of the coal mining industry.
§ Mr. MarshThe frequent meetings which I have with the chairmen of the boards of nationalised industries are confidential.
§ Mr. EadieIs my right hon. Friend aware that his whole costing of other fuels in relation to coal is falling about his ears? Does he realise that the miners are beginning to demand an independent investigation into the whole question of costing?
§ Mr. MarshOne comes back here to the original point. The bodies who have looked at this subject now include virtually everybody connected with nuclear costings. [Interruption.] My hon. Friend has asked the question and I hope he will let me answer. I find it difficult to think of a body which would be both independent of all those involved in this and capable of doing the job.
§ Mr. EmeryWould not the right hon. Gentleman agree that, perhaps in order to clear up this point, it would be much more helpful if we could debate the Fuel Policy White Paper?
§ Mr. ShinwellWhy does my right hon. Friend always tell us that his conversations with the Chairman of the National Coal Board are confidential when every time he says so Lord Robens goes out, makes a speech and tells us all about them?