§ 4. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the great loss suffered by the Humber pilots through their having to pay the export price of 42s. 6d. per ton of coal for their own pilot cutters instead of the price under the Coal Limitation Act of about 32s. a ton; and, as this coal is burnt at the mouth of the Humber and does not go abroad, will he consider charging the reduced rate for this coal, as the pilots cannot increase their charges in the same way as the ship owners raise their freights?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThe Price of Coat (Limitation) Act, 1915, does not apply to ships' bunker coal. Complaint has not previously been made that the application 1647 of the bunker coal prices to pilot cutters entailed great loss to the Humber pilots, but if the hon. and gallant Member will arrange for a full statement to be submitted on behalf of the pilots affected, the question of modifying the present charges will be fully considered.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYAre sea-going trawlers supplied with coal under the Domestic Prices Order?
§ Sir A. GEDDESNo.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman also aware that correspondence has been going on between the Coal Controller and the Humber pilots on this matter for the last six weeks?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI have no information how long correspondence has been going on. Correspondence has been going on with nearly every port in the country with regard to the prices of bunker coal, which many people in the ports do not understand include freight charges in this country, and therefore there are different prices at different ports.