§ Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that coal allocated direct by the Coal Board's officers to industries and even to Government Departments has to carry a commission to middlemen who do nothing more than sign their names on contract forms, leaving the Board's officials to fill the amount of coal supplied; and if he will take steps to end this practice.
§ Mr. GaitskellI am informed by the National Coal Board that they have under consideration the general question of their relationships with distributors and it is hoped that discussions between the Board and the distributive trade will be opened at an early date. Pending these discussions the general policy of the Board has been to continue to make use of the distributive channels existing at the vesting date.