HC Deb 06 December 1927 vol 211 cc1173-4
44. Mr. OLIVER

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been drawn to a recent decision of many of the coal merchants of London to increase the price of coal by 2s. per ton; and can he explain the cause of this increase?

Colonel LANE FOX

I am aware that the retail prices of house coal in London were increased by 2s. per ton on the 29th November, except for best coal and anthracite. I am making inquiries as to the cause of the increase.

Mr. OLIVER

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether any of this increase in price can be in any way attributed to any increase in the cost of production of coal?

Colonel LANE FOX

That is one of the circumstances into which I am inquiring.

Mr. R. MORRISON

May I ask what the right hon. Gentleman proposes to do when he has made his inquiries? Does he propose to make a statement to the House?

Mr. WESTWOOD

Are we to understand that this increase is due to the eight-hours day?

Colonel LANE FOX

I shall be better able to say what is going to be done when I know what the results of the inquiries are. As to the eight-hours day, that has obviously nothing whatever to do with it.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the increase in pit costs does not amount to more than a few coppers per ton, and does he not think that immediate action ought to be taken against these people who are exploiting the public?

Colonel LANE FOX

I am asking some of the gentlemen concerned to come to see me about it.

Mr. MORRISON

If I put down a question in a week's time, will the right hon. Gentleman then have completed his inquiries and be able to make a statement to the House as to the reason for this increase of 2s. a ton?

Colonel LANE FOX

Certainly, I wilt tell the hon. Gentleman all I can.

Mr. HARDIE

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking the wholesale prices between the mines and distribution in London, now and a month ago, in order to find out whether there is any increase of any kind that gives ground for making an increased charge?

Colonel LANE FOX

Yes, Sir, that is exactly the sort of thing that is being inquired into, but it is not easy to know the exact wholesale price of any particular class of coal.

Mr. HARDIE rose

Mr. SPEAKER

Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy.

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