HC Deb 06 April 1927 vol 204 cc2075-6
95. Mr. BATEY

asked the Secretary for Mines if he can give the latest figures of the pit-head prices of coal in each coalmining district; and the retail price of coal sold in London, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester, and Sheffield?

Colonel LANE FOX

As the reply to this question involves a statistical statement, I will circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. LAWSON

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information about the reported reduction of 5s. a ton by firms outside the ring, in London? If not, is he taking steps to investigate this matter, and to see how such a thing can be done?

Colonel LANE FOX

I do not think that arises out of this question.

Following are the statistics promised;

Particulars of pithead prices for the first quarter of this year are not at present in the possession of my Department, but as soon as they are available, which depends to some extent on the ascertainment arrangements in the various districts, they will be published in the usual way.

The Coal Merchants' Federation have supplied my Department with the following particulars in regard to present retail prices in London, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester and Sheffield:

London.
Per ton
s. d.
Description of coal. Best Silkstone … … 51 0
Best Derby Brights … … 51 0
Best Bright House … … 50 0
Best Kitchen … … 48 0
Best Nuts … … 48 0
Best Cobbles … … 47 0
Hard Cobbles … … 44 6
Kitchen Nuts … … 43 6
Stove … … 39 0
Anthracite Nuts … … 85 0

Glasgow.
Best Parlour … … … 37 6
Good House … … … 36 0
Kitchen Coal … … … 33 0
Birmingham.
Best Coal … … … 49 0
Medium quality … … … 43 6
Kitchen Coal … … … 38 0
Manchester.
Per cwt.
s. d.
Selected Coal … … … 2 3
Best Coal … … … 2 1
Kitchen Coal … … … 1 10

An extra charge of 2s. 6d. per ton is made for delivery in bags.

Sheffield.
Per cwt.
s. d. s. d.
House Coal in bags (according to quality) 1 5 to 1 9