asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what directions he has given to the National Coal Board under Section 3 (1) of the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act, 1946; and how far the National Coal Board has given effect to such directions.

I would remind the hon. Member that there is provision in Section 54 of the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act, 1946, for mention of any directions given to the Board in the Board's annual report, which is to be presented to Parliament. The appropriate occasion for the review of such directions would be when the report is presented, and I should deprecate their being held in review at more frequent intervals than is provided in the Act.