15 JULY 1949, Page 18

NATIONALISED SLATE SIR,—Of what value are the figures in the

Report of the National Coal Board? My last delivery of household coal (February, 1949) was inspected by my coal merchant and by a representative of the Ministry of Fuel, and I have just now been allowed a refund for 20 per cent. of slate—the equivalent of one cwt. of slate to four of coal. As slate is very much heavier than coal, does not its inclusion inflate the Coal Board's figures and, incidentally, the miners' pay packet ?—Yours faithfully,