Major HENDERSONasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will explain why coal merchants, who received compensation for losses on their stocks when the price was reduced on 1st December, 1919, were instructed by the Coal Controller in May to increase the selling price of their coal in stock by 14s. 2d a ton, to the detriment of the consumer?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMAN:The maximum retail prices of household coal were increased by 14s. 2d. per ton as from the 12th May 469W last, but it is not the case that coal merchants were instructed by the Coal Controller to increase the selling price of their coal in stock on that date by 14s. 2d. per ton.