§ 43. Mr. BATEY(1) asked the Secretary for Mines the number of tons of coal output for the 12 months ended 31st October, 1928, in each mining district; the estimated number of tons of such output which will receive freight relief in each mining district; and the amount per ton of such freight relief;
(2) asked the Minister of Transport the estimated amount of money which will be paid to coalowners in each mining district for 12 months as freight relief?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Commodore Douglas King)In the freight relief scheme which has been published in a White Paper No. 3215, the basis taken for the calculation of the relief in the first instance is the year 1927. The total output in that year was 251.2 million tons, of which approximately 200 million tons was carried by public railways. Of this amount it is estimated that about 80 million tons would be eligible for relief, equivalent to 7d. per ton for export coal and 10d. per ton for coal for iron and steel works. Sufficient information is not available to show how the selected traffics are allocated district by district and I cannot therefore give district figures. Clause 6 of the anticipation scheme provides that the rebates shall be allowed by the railway companies to the trader paying the carriage on the selected traffic. Information is not available to show on what proportion of coal traffic collieries pay the carriage.
§ Mr. BATEYIn regard to the 80,000,000 tons which are going to get freight relief, does it mean that 50,000,000 tons for export coal and 30,000,000 tons for iron and steel?
§ Commodore KINGNo, Sir, the proportion of that 80,000,000 would be about three to one—about three-quarters to export coal and one-quarter to iron and steel coal.
§ Mr. RENNIE SMITHHas the Secretary for Mines attempted to work out what would be the increased sale of coal arising out of the arrangement?
§ Commodore KINGNo.