§ Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what arrangements have been made to market the output of open-cast workings in South Wales; and what are the financial provisions of the arrangements?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe arrangements for the sale and distribution of all open-cast coal now being worked has been placed in the hands of selling agents on behalf of the Ministry. The selling agencies will receive an agreed remuneration for their services but the amounts payable are subject to examination by my officers so that they may be satisfied that they are reasonable. They are subject to audit and revision every six months. Where the selling agents' services are required as factors, they receive the normal margins payable for such services.