§ 100. Mr. Prescottasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that a laboratory analysis of approximately 18 tons of substance delivered as coal last December to the Prospect Manufacturing Company, Limited, Blackburn, showed a content of 39 per cent. combustible matter, 58 per cent. iron ore and 3 per cent. other matter; that such deliveries to mills are not uncommon; and what reduction in price will be made to consumers in such circumstances.
§ Mr. GaitskellYes. I am aware of the particular consignment referred to since it was originally suspected, though wrongly, to have consisted of opencast coal for the production of which my Department is responsible. I gather, however, that the material in question actually came from a colliery whose washery had broken down. No doubt the matter of the price to be charged is being taken up by the recipients if it has not by now been settled with the marketing department of the North Western Divisional Coal Board, in accordance with ordinary commercial practice.