26 DECEMBER 1925, Page 3

Those who have followed the inquiry of the Coal Commission

must have been convinced that it has been conducted with great ability. It is not surprising to hear that the- work will be finished sooner than at one time seemed possible. It is expected that the public inquiry will end early in January. The Commissioners will then have to make further inquiries in private and the Report may be expected (so the Labour corres- pondent of the Times says) about the end of February. If all this should come true there will be two months for Parliament to think over the subject before the subsidy period comes to an end ; and if the present comparative good will should continue it ought to be possible to make very good use of the breathing space.

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