§ Mr. GROTRIANasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the fishing industry at Hull is being severely handicapped by the high prices demanded now for South Yorkshire hard coal; whether he is aware that South Yorkshire coal is now 5s. per ton higher than pre-stoppage prices, whereas Northumberland and Durham coal has only risen by about 1s. 6d.; and whether the present shortage of coal, which may be the cause of present high prices in Yorkshire, is consequent on a shortage of wagons for rail transport or upon the periodical closing of pits?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI have received no complaints from the fishing industry at Hull that it is being handicapped either by high coal prices or by a shortage of coal. Nor has my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, whom I have consulted on the point. As regards the rest of the question, such information as is in my possession does not bear out what my hon. Friend says about the comparative price movements of South Yorkshire and Northumberland and Durham coals.