§ Mr. SITCHasked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware of the fact that a certain gas company in a Midland area has recently declined an order for fuel in the form of coke from a local manufacturing firm whose works can only remain in operation so long as such supplies are available; that the same company is delivering quantities of coke to firms in the same district whose works have been for some time past and are still closed, owing to the present dispute, probably in order to accumulate stocks for use immediately the said dispute is settled; whether such gas companies possess any statutory powers enabling them to differentiate between one manufacturing firm and another; if so, by whose authority such power is exercised; and, if not, can he see his way to inquire into the specific case indicated, with the view to enabling the firm to have satisfaction of its requirements, and thus prevent any further unemployment in the area concerned?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am not aware of the circumstances to which the hon. Member calls attention, but, if he will furnish me with the name of the gas company, the names of the manufacturing firms, and brief particulars of the transactions in coke to which he refers, I will arrange for prompt inquiries to be made.