§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will consider setting up a committee of inquiry into the coal trade in Northern Ireland, with particular reference to the possibility of introducing a summer/winter price scheme for domestic coal similar to that operating in the rest of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Peter MillsThe possibility of introducing in Northern Ireland a scheme for different prices for household coal in summer and winter was examined by the Northern Ireland Ministry of Commerce in 1965. It was concluded that such a scheme would operate to the disadvantage of the majority of low-income households. It is unlikely that a new inquiry would invalidate that conclusion.