Sir F. HALLasked the President of the Board of Trade if the maximum price which may be charged to retail merchants for coal and the maximum price that may be charged by the retailer to the consumer is fixed; if so, will he state what such prices are; whether provision is made for such prices to vary according to freight and other charges; and, if so, the nature of such provision?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the written statement which was circulated in accordance with the reply given to a question put by the right hon. Member for South Molton on the 14th July. I would add that the retail prices of coal are fixed by the local authorities under the Household Fuel and Lighting Order with the approval of the Controller of Coal Mines, and that the prices so fixed may be reviewed at any time with a view to making provision for variations in freight or other charges.