HC Deb 05 July 1926 vol 197 c1635W
Commander BELLAIRS

asked the Secretary for Mines if he can give any approximate figures as to the extent to which the distribution of coal in the home trade of Great Britain is split up among separate traders?

Colonel LANE FOX

According to evidence given before the Royal Commission, the number of coal factors in England and Wales may be estimated to be nearly 2,000, and the number of retail merchants in Great Britain is probably not less than 27,000.