§ 74. Lieutenant-Colonel CAMPIONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that for the period from 1st May, 1918, the Lewes Gas Company has only been able to obtain 804 tons of coal, whereas their contract was for the supply of 1,500 tons for the twelve months; that they are now asked by the Coal Controller to pay as much as 46s. 3d. per ton, whereas the contract price was 36s. 1½d. per ton; and whether steps can be taken to secure delivery of the coal in accordance with the terms of the contract?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANFrom the weekly returns rendered by the Lewes Gas Company to the Controller of Coal Mines, the quantity of coal received by them since 1st May, 1918, is about 4,500 tons, and it would seem, therefore, that my hon. and gallant Friend is alluding to a contract with a particular colliery. Owing to strikes and stoppages at certain pits in Yorkshire and the Midlands, deliveries have fallen into arrears, and arrangements have been made by the Coal Controller to forward coal from Durham to a consider- 326 able number of gas works in the South of England, so as to enable them to continue operations. The increase in price would appear to be accounted for by the general increases in colliery prices in June and July last, amounting to 4s. per ton, with additional transport charges on coal brought from more distant collieries.