HC Deb 10 March 1958 vol 584 cc15-6W
Captain Kerby

asked the Paymaster-General if he is aware that, whilst concessionary coal has become regarded as a traditional perquisite of miners, governed by certain individual arrangements between former colliery owners and their employees, such private arrangements were made before nationalisation; and if he will, therefore, now give a general direction to the National Coal Board to end forthwith the provision of concessionary coal to one section of the community while we still have to import coal from abroad.

Sir I. Horobin

No. Concessionary coal is part of mine workers' remuneration and as such is dealt with through the agreed conciliation machinery for the coal-mining industry. Imports of coal into this country have ceased save under existing contracts for a limited quantity, mainly from the Continent.