75. Lieut.-Colonel THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is a wave that a notice has been sent to the electricity engineer of the West Ham Corporation stating that his Department can no longer be supplied with rail borne coal and they must make arrangements to obtain a supply of sea-borne coal; if he is aware that this will cause a considerable increase in the price of coal in addition to the 6s. which is further proposed by the Government; that the additional cost of sea-borne coal and the 6s. rise take effect immediately; that it will be impossible to immediately recover the cost from the consumers; and if he intends taking action in I he matter?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANMy right hon. Friend explained in his statement in the House on the 4th June that the reduction of output, in the Midland districts made it necessary to replace rail-borne coal from those districts with sea-borne coal from exporting districts, and that the transport charges on the sea-borne coal were higher than on the rail-borne coal. I understand that the question of freights is at present receiving the attention of the Shipping Controller.
§ Mr. JOHN JONESIs the hon. Gentleman aware that a number of men in the West Ham district are receiving notices because the employers say they cannot afford the extra charges?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI was not aware of that.