§ Mr. F. GOULDasked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the fact that householders in many parts of the country are finding extreme difficulty in securing quantities of household coal, whereas middlemen and merchants are seeking to secure large stocks in anticipation of certain eventualities; and what step, if any, he proposes to take to see that an equitable distribution of coal takes place during the next few weeks?
§ Mr. SHINWELLI have no power to control the distribution of coal in the manner suggested by my hon. Friend; but I am considering the whole question.