§ Mr. Johnasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the effect upon industrial and domestic coal prices of the requirement of the European Coal and Steel Community that the National Coal Board should charge the price of coal ex-mine plus the full transport costs.
§ Sir J. EdenIndustrial coal prices should not be affected as the National Coal Board is already selling on an ex-mine basis. So far as domestic coal is concerned it is possible that some modification in their zone-delivered pricing arrangements may be necessary but I would not expect this to have a significant effect on price levels.