§ Mr. ALBERT LAWasked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that under the operation of the provisions of Part I of the Coal Mines Act, 1930, best house coal can be delivered and sold in Bolton at 32s. 6d. per ton by Staffordshire collieries, whereas the Lancashire Colliery Company charge 45s. per ton in Bolton for similar coal; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent the quota being allocated in such a way as to give an advantage to the products of one coalfield in the area of another?
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§ Mr. SHINWELLThe latest information in my possession is that the schedules of minimum prices drawn up by Lancashire and Staffordshire, under the provisions of the schemes in force under Part I of the Coal Mines Act, 1930, have not yet been put into operation by the respective Executive Boards, pending consultations with neighbouring districts and the Central Council with regard to co-ordination of prices. In these circumstances, it does not appear that the prices referred to by my hon. Friend can be attributed to the operation of the Act. I understand that all possible progress is being made with regard to the co-ordination of prices between the various districts.