§ 39. Mr. THURTLEasked the Secretary for Mines if, in view of the continued high price of coal for domestic consumption and the consequent hardship thereby inflicted on poor people, he is now prepared to consider whether steps can be taken to enforce a reduction of price?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe Government have no power to enforce a reduction in the price of coal. To do that would need legislation authorising the re-imposition of a system of control, and I do not think that such a proposal would commend itself to the House. At present the difficulties of rail transport, due to the stoppage are, I believe, still making themselves felt. When these are removed, the stimulus to low prices that should result from the great potential output of the country ought to afford a natural remedy for any inefficient methods or excessive charges on the part of retailers.
§ Mr. PALINGIf it is true, as has been stated, that the production of coal per man has gone up, why does the price remain where it is?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERPartly because of transport. There is the further fact I have referred to, that if you have a great production of coal, there is every incentive to the coal-owners to sell more cheaply, to avoid the middleman, and to go into business themselves.
§ Mr. PALINGWhy have they not done it?
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERIs the Mines Department giving any attention to the transport question? Some of our centres are getting only a third of their weekly supply, and that is keeping up prices.
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERCertainly, the Mines Department and the Ministry of Transport have been in constant touch with the railway companies on the subject, not only after the trouble arose, but, seeing that there must be difficulty when the coal stocks become normal again, they took the matter up with the railway companies even before the end of the stoppage.