HC Deb 12 March 1923 vol 161 cc1004-5
13. Mr. GAVAN DUFFY

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that the Cumberland County Council has entered into a contract for the provision of coal for Frizington Council school at 39s. 6d. per ton, and that the average price of coal at the pit top is stated officially to be 16s. 9½d. per ton; and will he, in the interests of economy, cause inquiry to be made as to how the difference between the price at the pit top and that charged for delivery at the school, namely, £1 3s. 9½d. per ton, was disbursed?

The SECRETARY for MINES (Lieut.-Colonel Lane-Fox)

The hon. Member apparently bases his question on a comparison between the average pit head price of all qualities of coal in the month of November, 1922, and the retail price of a particular quality of coal at some other time. I do not see how any inference can be drawn from such a comparison.

Mr. R. RICHARDSON

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there is only about a shilling a ton difference between screened and unscreened coat at the pits mouth?

Lieut.-Colonel LANE-FOX

No.

Mr. DUFFY

Is he aware that the coal used at the Council school is local coal?

Lieut.-Colonel LANE-FOX

Yes, that is probably the case.

Mr. DUFFY

Then can the latter part of my question be answered?

Lieut.-Colonel LANE-FOX

Obviously I cannot explain the whole local conditions. The hon. Member's comparison is a comparison of two totally different things.

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