§ 5. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Fuel and Power to what extent the nationalised coal industry is still paying brokerage to coal brokers; how much per ton is paid; and what service is rendered in exchange for this payment.
§ Mr. GaitskellAs regards the first part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes) on 20th November. In reply to the second part of the Question, the services rendered by the distributor range from assuming financial responsibility for sales of coal to making complex arrangements for shipping, transport, screening, etc., and the margin varies accordingly.