HC Deb 17 March 1919 vol 113 cc1701-2
Mr. GILBERT

asked the President of the Board of Trade who is the present Coal Controller; what is the number of staff employed in this department; what buildings they occupy for offices; and what is the total cost of this Department for last year and the estimated cost for this year?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

The present Controller of Coal Mines is the hon. Member for Pembroke, who was appointed to succeed the late Sir Guy Calthrop on the 11th March. The staff of his Department numbers approximately 910, of whom 530 are in London. In addition about 450 engineers throughout the country render honorary part-time assistance in connection with the campaign to secure economy of fuel in industrial works, etc. The Holborn Viaduct Hotel, containing 134 rooms, and twenty-two rooms at Bank Buildings, Holborn, are occupied by the staff of the Department in London, while outside London there are about forty separate offices. The cost of the Coal Mines Department during the financial year 1918–19 is approximately £250,000, and the estimated coat for the year 1919–20 is £517,253, the increase being due largely to the fact that payment of the claims of local authorities and gas and electricity undertakings and companies in respect of work done by thorn under the Household Fuel and Lighting Orders will fall mainly within the coming year.

Sir J. D. REES

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in spite of this the poor people of Nottingham, who are not far from the coal mines, cannot get coal?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

Does the hon. Gentleman suggest that we should spend more money?

Sir J. D. REES

Oh! no, no.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Is not this cost supposed to come out of the extra tax upon those collieries that are working at a profit under the Coal Bill of last year?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

I am not quite sure about that. I do not think the answer I have given refers to that at all, but I will inquire.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Are we to understand that this £500,000 is the cost of compensating poor collieries and undertakings, or is it purely the cost of the clerical services of this Department?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

I cannot give details till I see the Paper. I cannot carry all these figures in my head.