§ 105. Sir R. COOPERasked the President of the Board of Trade if he would cause inquiries to be made of the cost at pit-head of railway freights to London, Bristol, and Manchester, the prices charged to merchants, and the prices charged to consumers in these towns, for certain of the well-known grades of coal on the 1st March, 1915, compared with the 1st March, 1914, in order that the public many know where the additional charges are being absorbed?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)Most of the information which the hon. Member desires is contained in the appendices to the evidence taken by the Retail Coal Prices Committee, which will be published shortly. Railway companies' charges for the carriage of coal have not been increased, but as regards other charges the Committee reported that they were not able to apportion the extra sums paid for coal among the different interests concerned, because the proportion sold under contract in each case could not be ascertained.
§ Sir R. COOPERIs it not the fact that the increased charges are not entirely due to the increase of price by the coal producers, but that there is also an increase by the merchants?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am afraid I cannot go further than the Committee. I am afraid I cannot apportion the rise in prices between the different interests.