§ 44. Mr. W. Hamiltonasked the Minister of Power what consideration he gave to the recently announced increases in coal prices; and what proportion of the announced increases is attributable to the policies outlined in the White Paper on the Financial Obligations of the Nationalised Industries.
§ 45. Mr. T. Fraserasked the Minister of Power if he will make a statement on the increases in domestic coal prices announced on 11th April.
§ Mr. WoodI went into the matter fully with representatives of the coal trade and the Domestic Coal Consumers' Council and I have placed copies of my correspondence with the Council in the Library of the House. The Coal Board's responsibilities under the White Paper are still being considered, but the increases were necessary to help the Board fulfil its statutory duty to pay its way.