§ 22. Mr. HAYDAYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that it is a common practice in all sections of trade in commercial centres for cartage to be paid for at a specified rate per ton, and such practice is prevalent in the coal trade when carts are hired; that although local conditions vary it is found possible for coal merchants to pay a cartage contractor for the cartage of coal at a flat rate and to fix locally the price of coal at a flat rate according to grade 1, 2, 3, or 4, as the case may be; that the expenses said to be entailed for cartage in the sale of coal cover up many excess charges, and if cartage was charged at a flat rate per ton consumers could be better protected than under the present system; and whether he is prepared to recommend that local fuel overseers, when fixing the retail price of coal under the Household Fuel and Lighting Order, should fix the cost of cartage and the delivery of coal to the consumers' premises at a flat rate per ton?
§ Sir A. GEDDESIn fixing retail prices for coal, the local fuel overseers take into consideration the charges for carting ruling in their districts, and, although no separate charge may be made to the consumer for carting, the result desired by the hon. Member is attained.