§ 124. Mr. Cuthbertasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will take steps to speed up the payment of compensation to the many small shareholders of previous colliery undertakings; and if he is aware of the additional cost occasioned by this delay, owing to increasing cost of money and consequent rising normal amount of stock to be issued in satisfaction of the balance of the global sum for coal compensation.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydThe valuation of the nationalised colliery interests is a most complicated matter, which is bound to take a long time. I regret the
96W
§ Mr. PeakeThe latest available information is as follows:
cost and inconvenience caused by delay and have done what is possible to mitigate it by making payments on account. Compensation issued now totals £157,860,645, of which £17,650,073 is refund of capital outlays of companies.