§ Major PRESCOTTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the 3s. per ton increase in the price of cement due to the 6s. advance in the price of coal will now be taken off by the cement manufacturers; and whether a still further reduction will be made corresponding to the fall in the price of coal?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANAs the reduction in the price of coal does not extend to industrial coal, I should not expect it to have any effect upon the price of cement.
§ Major PRESCOTTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any active steps will be taken to reduce the price of all building materials correspondingly to the fall in the price of coal; whether the loss of 10s. per ton on all coal 1937W in the possession of local authorities, which was laid down at the request of the Ministry of Health and the Controller of Coal Mines to establish a reserve stock in case of emergency, will fall on the ratepayers of the particular locality establishing the stock or will the Government accept the liability?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe hon. and gallant Member appears to be under a misapprehension. No reduction has been made in the price of industrial coal. In regard to stocks held by local authorities an adjustment will be made by the Government.