§ 13. Mr. MACQUISTENasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that coal shipped realises 60s. to 90s. per ton as against 25s. to 27s. per ton for land sales coal, he will direct the Coal Controller, in conjunction with the Shipping Controller, to allocate tonnage equitably and proportionately to the output of each pit?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIt has been the endeavour of the Coal Controller, so far as practicable, to allocate equitably with regard to previous trade connections, a share of export business among the several mining districts. The possibility of such an allocation is, however, limited by the geographical position of the coalfields and the necessity of economising railway haulage.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENDo the colliery proprietors who have maritime sales get all the profits arising out of such sales, subject to the Excess Profits Duty? Would it not be better to adjust the matter so that there would not be loss payable by the Coal Controller?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI should like to have notice of that.
§ 17. Mr. GILBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade, if it is intended to continue the control of supplies of coal during the ensuing summer months in London and the South of England; from what date the control will be released; and if the consumers who have storage will be allowed to stock in the summer months for next winter's consumption?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe control of the supply and consumption of coal will have to be continued. The reduction in hours of working at the pits in July will affect 1642 the tonnage of coal available for distribution. After 30th June arrangements will be made to permit householders to stock coal for the coming winter within the allowances then in force, in so far as coal supplies are available for the purpose.