The consumers of domestic coal (that is to say, the
whole nation) have been watching with a wry smile the negotiations between Mr. Shinwell, the Secretary for Mines, and the Coal Merchants' Federation. Mr. Shin- well had received certain information which he thought justified him in putting some plain questions to the coal merchants about the price of coal. The consumer will not think that any justification was needed. The Department is, no doubt, like the newspapers, a common receptacle for angry complaints. The coal merchants seemed to jump at the Minister's invitation to answer questions. They wanted nothing better, they said in effect, than an opportunity of placing all their cards on the table. Mr. Shinwell then drew up a questionnaire, and though the merchants answered the questions, they sent such answers in some cases that the public, like Mr. Shinwell, is disappointed and confused. The coal merchants, in fact, refused to answer the vital questions which were directed to remove suspicions about over- charging. They refused on the ground that they could not give away trade information. Why, Mr. Shinwell was asking them to tell him secrets which the merchants would not even tell to one another ! The consumer who lives in a flat with very small storage space for coal will reserve his particular grimace for the merchants' exhor- tation to consumers in general to store plenty of coal when prices are down in the summer.
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