asked the President of the Board of Trade what is his present practice with regard to the complaints of manufacturers who find that recent increases in the price of coal make it difficult for them to continue on an economic basis or to maintain or develop their export trade; and to what extent in such matters it is his practice to communicate with the Minister of Fuel and Power, the National Coal Board or the Industrial Coal Consumers' Council.

In any case of complaint to my Department about the price of coal, it would be the practice to refer the manufacturer concerned both to the Ministry of Fuel and Power and the National Coal Board. Individual firms have of course the right to address complaints to the Industrial Coal Consumers' Council direct.