§ 25. Mr. J. BECKETTasked the Secretary for Mines what is the average price at which coal-mine owners interested in by-product works sell coal to themselves; and if these transactions are shown in the published profits by which wages are regulated?
§ Colonel LANE-FOXReceipts from transactions of this sort are included in the proceeds by which wages are regulated under the agreement, which provides that "fair market prices, based on current market values, are to be charged" in respect of them. I have no particulars of the actual prices charged. They are. of course, subject to scrutiny by the miners' accountants.
§ Mr. BECKETTIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that although the receipts are included, the details of the transaction are not include, and as the greater part of the profits in the successful pits are made through by-products, the miners naturally feel that they are being seriously defrauded by the concealing of these transactions?
§ Colonel LANE-FOXI have not had a serious complaint.
§ Mr. BECKETTI made no suggestion that the accountants are not capable of dealing with it. The suggestion I made was that details were not divulged.
§ Mr. BATEYIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that the revenue from by-products is not included?
§ Colonel LANE-FOXI think the hon. Member is mistaken.