§ 78. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Order authorising an advance of 2s. 6d. per ton on coal is retrospective; and, if so, whether he is aware of the position in which coal merchants are placed thereby, in view of the fact that it is practically impossible to recover from small buyers any additional sum to that already paid; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?
Mr. HARCOURTThe effect of the Order is merely to increase the maximum pithead price of coal in Monmouthshire and South Wales as from the 1st June. Whether the advance can be charged on past deliveries depends on the circumstances of the case, but the Board of Trade have recommended that it should not be so charged where the purchaser has him 870 self sold the coal and cannot recover. The district coal and coke supplies committer for South Wales have decided that back charges shall not be raised in the case of household coal.