§ 42. Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that complaints are being made regarding increases in the wholesale price of coal, in some instances amounting to as much as 120 per cent. above the pre-strike price; if he has yet concluded his inquiries into the cases of increase of cost already supplied to him by the hon. Member for Hillsborough; and whether he will now state what steps the Government are taking to prevent profiteering in coal?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Colonel Lane Fox)I have written to the hon. Member in detail concerning the cases of increases of price of which he has given me particulars. On the general question, I have recently circularised all collieries warning them that the charging of excessive prices may necessitate the Government taking action to requisition stocks or control prices. I hope this will have the effect of keeping increases within reasonable limits.
§ Mr. ALEXANDERSeeing that the right hon. Gentleman has recognised that excessive charges are being made, since he has issued a warning, may I ask how long he is going to wait before putting into effect the requisition of stocks?
§ Colonel LANE FOXI think that, if the hon. Member will come and have a word with me, he will, when he has seen my letter, if he has not already got it, find in it a good deal that we can discuss together.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONCan the right hon. Gentleman say on what basis he has intervened in cases where he has already intervened and secured a reduction in price, as in Dundee; and is he aware that, even after his intervention, which secured a reduction of 6d. per cwt., the price is still 3s. 6d. per cwt.
§ Colonel LANE FOXYes, Sir. Of course, it is quite inevitable that, under the present conditions, there should be some increase in price; the point is whether there is actually profiteering by 531 an undue increase, and that is a matter that I am going into.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, even after his intervention, the price has gone up 200 per cent.?
§ Colonel LANE FOXNo, Sir, not after I intervened. If the hon. Member has any case in mind, perhaps he will give me particulars?
§ Mr. NEIL MACLEANIs it not the case that coal which is presently being sold to consumers was dug at the old price, so that any increase that is now being made over what would have been charged had there been no dispute is undoubtedly profiteering; and will the right hon. Gentleman put a stop to that?
§ Colonel LANE FOXI think the hon. Gentleman is too keen a business man not to realise that, if he is distributing coal under the present ration in very small quantities over a large area, it is obviously going to cost more than when it is distributed in larger quantities.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs it not the case that the areas have not increased since the dispute started, and, consequently, that the cost of distribution is the same now as it was before the dispute?
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot now argue the matter.