§ 73. Captain GARRO-JONESasked the Secretary for Mines' whether he is aware that grading of coal by the pit-head price is successfully practised in Germany, and whether he will examine this and other methods of grading with a view to protecting British household and other consumers from being sold inferior grades of coal as best?
§ Colonel LANE-FOXI do not quite follow what the hon. and gallant Member means when he speaks of grading of coal by the pit-head price. I have certainly never heard of such a system being adopted in Germany: grading in that country is on the basis of quality and calorific value. As regards the last part of the question, I hope that the Royal Commission will shortly be reporting on this subject.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the Royal Commission will not report Until 254 the winter is over, and that many people are suffering grave hardship by the existing price of coal in London?
§ Colonel LANE-FOXI think the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the next question on the Paper.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESHas not this been a grievance requiring attention for the last five years—as the hon. and gallant Gentleman himself showed when he was sitting on this side of the House?
§ 74. Captain GARRO-JONESasked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the rise in the price of all grades of household coal, and of the fact that the Royal Commission will not publish its Report till the winter is practically over, he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to check this rise in price?
§ Colonel LANE-FOXIn present circumstances it is inevitable that, with the increased demand, the price of household coal in the winter months should increase, and there is nothing new about that. I am watching the situation carefully, and it is obvious that the investigations which the Royal Commission are making into the question of household coal prices will also strongly deter any exploitation of the public at present.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that in London the price of coal has gone up to the poor people in many cases by twopence per cwt., and that an increase of 3s. 4d. a ton is not at all justified, but calls for immediate legislation to suppress these plunderers?
§ Colonel LANE-FOXI shall be very glad to have any information which the hon. Member can give me.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman going to take steps to protect the poor against plundering?
§ Colonel LANE-FOXIf I am perfectly certain there is a grievance.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESIs it not the fact that this question has been repeatedly investigated and it has been authoritatively recommended that action should be taken, and that this continued inaction and non possumus attitude is bringing the hon. and gallant Gentleman and the Government into disgrace?