HC Deb 27 July 1916 vol 84 cc1855-8
41. Mr. WING

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give to the country the reasons which influenced him to grant powers to South Wales colliery proprietors to raise the standard price of coal from 4s. 6d. to 6s. 6d. per ton at the pit; and is he aware that the exercise of his power in this direction is causing dissatisfaction in the country?

The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. Harcourt)

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on Monday to a question by the hon. Member for the Attercliffe Division. The increase mentioned applies only to the South Wales district.

Mr. J. SAMUEL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this increase of 2s. means a new charge upon the consumers in South Wales and Monmouthshire of no less than £3,500,000 a year, in addition to the 4s. increased price that was put on in the former Bill, making a total net charge of no less than £9,149,000 upon the amount of coal consumed?

Mr. HARCOURT

I do not know whether the figures are correct. The hon. Member's statement is made on the assumption that the whole of the coal so affected is consumed in South Wales.

Mr. ANDERSON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that already there are reports of advancing prices for all consumers, and that there is pressure from other districts to get the same advantage as the South Wales district has got; and will the right hon. Gentleman, in view of the difficulty of the position, try to get from the Government time for the discussion of this matter in the House?

Mr. J. SAMUEL

I beg to give notice that on the Adjournment I shall call attention to this matter.

62. Mr. W. THORNE

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the South Wales and Monmouthshire coalowners will be allowed to make an extra charge of 2s. 6d. per ton for all coal suplied to the Navy on and after the date fixed by the Board of Trade; if he is aware that in some districts the coalowners have already jumped up the price of coal 1s. 8d. per ton because of the concession made to the South Wales coalowners; and if he can state the increase of the working cost in the South Wales coal fields since the passing of the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act?

Mr. HARCOURT

The Price of Coal (Limitation) Act does not apply to coal to be used on a ship. The alteration of the standard amount in respect of the mines in the South Wales district does not authorise coalowners in other districts to increase their prices. The average increase in working costs since the passing of the Act at the collieries in South Wales, whose accounts are audited for the purposes of the Conciliation Agreement, was 2s. 6d. a ton.

Mr. T. M. HEALY

Have the Board of Trade any power to restrict excessive charges on bunker coal?

Mr. HARCOURT

That is under consideration.

Mr. J. SAMUEL

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to state that the 2s. 6d. refers to export coal, and is he aware it has risen from 18s. to 20s.?

Mr. HARCOURT

I am not referring to export coal.

Mr. FLAVIN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in many poor districts in Ireland coal has risen to £3 per ton with a tendency to a further increase of from 5s. to 10s., and is he aware that it will be absolutely impossible for many of the poor people in Ireland where there are no munition works to buy any fuel for the coming winter?

Mr. HARCOURT

I have given an answer to a specific question.

63. Mr. ANDERSON

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that his action in permitting the South Wales coalowners to advance the price of coal by 2s. 6d. beyond the limit fixed by the Coal Prices (Limitation) Act has been resented by the Miners' Federation of Great Britain and the general public; that it is interpreted as an invitation to coalowners in all parts of the country to put forward similar demands; that it is bound to lay additional burdens on the poorest people; that it is causing unrest among many of the workers; and whether, in view of these considerations, he will reconsider his decision in this matter?

Mr. HARCOURT

I received a deputation from the Miners' Federation on the subject, and pointed out to them that the increase was given in respect of a proved increase of working costs. The Price of Coal (Limitation) Act of last year provided that if the Board of Trade are satisfied as regards the coal mines in any district that, owing to special circumstances affecting those mines, the standard amount of 4s. should be increased, the Board may substitute for that amount such higher sum as they may think just. In these circumstances, if it can be shown that the working costs of raising coal for home consumption in any district have increased, the Board can hardly refuse to entertain an application under the Act.

Mr. ANDERSON

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question, if any valid arguments are placed before him—will he reconsider the decision he has come to with these coalowners?

Mr. HARCOURT

I shall be most happy to consider any arguments which are placed before me.