§ LORD STRACHIEMy Lords, I beg to ask His Majesty's Government the Question standing in my name—viz., whether the selling of coal at the pit's mouth by colliery companies is selling it retail.
§ LORD HYLTONMy Lords, my noble friend is well aware that the great bulk of the produce of all collieries is not sold at the pit's mouth, but as regards the small proportion that is so sold the prices are now governed by an Order made by the Board of Trade on the 12th of the present month. That Order has been published in the London Gazette, and, as I am informed by the Board of Trade, they have taken other means of making it known to the public. It fixes a price of 9s. above the price obtained on the corresponding date in the year 1913 in the case of mines in South Wales and Monmouthshire and in the Forest of Dean, and of 6s. 6d. above the price obtained at the corresponding date in all other areas. I have a copy of the Order here if my noble friend would care to see it.