§ 93. Mr. OUTHWAITEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the- Shipping Controller whether his attention has been called to the price of coal ruling in French and Italian cities; and the price at which British coal is landed in British ships at French and Italian ports and the price paid for it by consumers in Paris and Rome?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYAs regards the question of prices of coal in Italy, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for West Toxteth on November 26th, to which I have nothing to add. The cost of carrying coal to France by British ships not requisitioned varies according to the ports of shipment and discharge and the different classes of vessels. For a steamer of 1,500 tons dead-weight the maximum voyage freight from Cardiff to Rouen is 24s. 6d. and from the Tyne to Rouen 27s. 6d., so that the cost of coal delivered at Rouen from these centres may be taken as being between 53s. and 60s. a ton. A great proportion of the coal carried to France, however, is transported by means of neutral ships under time charter, and the cost is necessarily much higher. I have no information as to the current prices of coal in Paris or in other French cities.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEHas the hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to the constant statements about the high prices of coal in Paris and other parts of France, which are generally attributed to the profits made by either British shippers or coal-owners, and is that the case?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYThe prices of coal in France are determined partly by the home output of coal in France and partly by the cost of shipping to France.
§ Sir C. HENRYIs not that understood by the French authorities?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYYes; the French authorities fully understand it.