§ 85. Mr. ANDERSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the list of coal merchants in London who have agreed to a limitation of profits [Cd. 8070] is intended to convey an assurance that these merchants have undertaken not merely during the past summer, but also during the ensuing six months, not to add more than a prescribed amount to the contract or current pit-head price; if so, what sum has been thus agreed to and subject to what conditions; will the Board of Trade publish week by week, for public information, the maximum retail price per ton thus arrived at; seeing that the list does not include the names of the dealers who supply the mass of the people in small quantities (trolley coal), what arrangements have the Board of Trade succeeded in making to ensure that a maximum price for trolley coal shall not be exceeded; and, if no such arrangement has been made, what steps does the Government propose to take to protect the London poor against a repetition this winter of the prices frequently charged last winter?
§ Mr. PRETYMANThe merchants whose names appear in the list mentioned have agreed that the sum added to the cost of coal to them at the railway depot to cover expenses of delivery and profits shall not exceed 7s. 6d., with the addition of 2s. for coal sold from trolleys. The arrangement continues in force until altered with the concurrence of the Board of Trade. My right hon. Friend does not regard the publication of maximum retail prices as practicable in view of the difference in the cost of several varieties, mixtures, screenings and qualities of coal at the various depots. My right hon. Friend is discussing with the principal merchants the steps to be taken to guard against excessive charges by small dealers who are not parties to the arrangement, and he hopes that it will be possible to take effective action.
§ Colonel LOCKWOODIs my hon. Friend aware that in the North of London men who take round coal to small consumers are charging 2s. and 3s. a ton for taking the same into their houses?
§ Mr. PRETYMANEvidence of that character has been before the Board of Trade, and that is exactly the point upon which a conference is being held.
§ Mr. WHITEHOUSEWill my hon. Friend give special attention to the prices charged in the Isle of Wight, where they reach famine level?
§ Mr. PRETYMANIf my hon. Friend will send some evidence of that fact it will be carefully considered.