HC Deb 22 November 1916 vol 87 cc1419-20
69. Mr. DEVLIN

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to make any announcement with regard to action taken by the Board of Trade with a view to ensuring to the working classes in Belfast, Dublin, and other Irish centres a sufficient supply of coal at reasonable prices?

Mr. PRETYMAN

As my right hon. Friend informed the hon. Member for St. Patrick's Division on 7th November, he is of opinion that the matter is one to be dealt with locally in the first instance. I have no information as to the present position in the various Irish centres.

80. Mr. DEVLIN

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he? is aware that the price of best quality house coal was, on 4th August, 1914, when War was declared, 15s. to 16s. per ton, whilst the present price for the same quality of coal is 25s. to 26s. per ton, free-onboard steamer at Garston or Partington, two of the principal English ports for coal shipment to Belfast, Dublin, and other Irish ports; that the current rate of freight on such coal from those English shipping ports to Belfast, Dublin, and other Irish ports was 3s. to 3s. 6d. per ton on 4th August, 1914, whilst the rate is now 10s. 6d. per ton, or three times the former rate; whether and when he proposes to take any steps to reduce the increase in the free-on-board prices of coal, as intended but not effected by his coal prices legislation; and whether he will at once take steps to reduce by at least one-half the present rates of coal freights between England and Ireland, and thus afford to Ireland the same freight advantages as given to France and Italy?

Mr. PRETYMAN

The shipment prices to which the hon. Member refers do not necessarily relate to coal shipped to Ireland. It would be difficult, I think, to-justify a price of 25s. 6d. f.o.b. under the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act, but the Beard appear to have received only one complaint with regard to colliery prices of house coal for Ireland. I should be glad to receive any information that the hon. Member may have on the subject. With regard to freights, I would point out that the proportional increase in the freights to Ireland is not so great as those in the rates to France and Italy even under the arrangements come to with those countries.

Mr. J. SAMUEL

Now that the Government are able to ascertain the profits made by coal owners, in view of the working of the Act of Parliament fixing coal prices, will they not consider the revision of the coal prices with a view to reduction?

Mr. SPEAKER

That hardly arises out of the question.

Mr. SAMUEL

Yes, it does.

Sir J. LONSDALE

Will the right horn. Gentleman consider the advisability of receiving a deputation in this matter?

Mr. PRETYMAN

I shall be glad to see any hon. Members who desire to see me.