§ 17. Mr. ANDERSONasked whether any arrangement has been reached between him and the South Wales coalowners whereby these owners are to be allowed 1302 to advance prices beyond the limit fixed by the Coal Prices (Limitation) Act; if so, by how much; whether this proposal, before being ratified, was submitted to Parliament, or to anyone except the coal-owners themselves; and whether it is his intention to allow increased prices to coal-owners in other parts of the country?
Mr. HARCOURTThe Board of Trade have made an Order under Section 1 (2) of the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act, increasing the standard amount in respect of the mines in the Monmouthshire and South Wales district from 4s. to 6s. 6d. The Order, which does not require the assent of Parliament, was made after a careful examination of statistics relating to the increase of working costs since the passing of the Act. The only other application for an increase of the standard amount at present before the Board is one recently made by the Forest of Dean Conciliation Board.
§ Mr. ANDERSONI should like to ask from whom the right hon. Gentleman received the demand for the increase; and whether any protest has been received from the Miners Federation of Great Britain; and whether he is aware that the South Wales coalowners have been making more profit than any other group in the country?
Mr. HARCOURTI have received a protest by deputation. As to the comparative profits of coalowners I would not like to commit myself.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEWere the consumers consulted at all in regard to the question of the rise in price?
§ Mr. JONATHAN SAMUELCan the right hon. Gentleman give us some estimate as to the amount of the increased revenue derived from the sale of coal for export and home consumption in South Wales?
§ Mr. ANDERSONI give notice that I shall raise this matter upon a very early opportunity.