asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether his attention has been drawn to the criticism of the Barnsley magistrate on 9th September of the action of the National Coal Board in purporting to impose a fine on an individual alleged to have committed larceny; and whether he will make a statement on the directions of a general character which he proposes to issue to the Coal Board that such action is not to be repeated.

I am advised by the National Coal Board that, as was explained to the West Riding bench at the adjourned hearing on 16th September, the Board did not in fact impose a fine on the individual in question or take any action against him in respect of the alleged offence. The Board does not exercise or seek to exercise any authority or jurisdiction in criminal matters and the question of a direction to them on the subject does not arise.

In the light of that answer, can the right hon. Gentleman explain why it was that the solicitor instructed by the Board informed the bench at the original hearing that such penalty had been imposed; and if, as now appears to be the case, that is wholly inaccurate, will he indicate to the Board the necessity of telling the truth to courts of law?

According to my information the hon. Gentleman is misinformed. It was not the solicitor to the Board who gave this information. What happened was that an officer of the Board misinformed the police as to the correct position.