asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will give the administrative cost per ton of coal in the two years prior to the mines being nationalised; and the administrative cost per ton since nationalisation.

According to the National Coal Board's accounts for 1947, administrative expenses amounted to 0s. 6.7d. per ton, which represented the expenses of the national, divisional and area organisations, including production, marketing and other departments. The Board's accounts for 1948 have not yet been published. No comparable information is available for years prior to nationalisation.