HC Deb 20 November 1928 vol 222 cc1540-1
43 and 44. Mr. T. WILLIAMS

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) the estimated reduction in the cost of production of coal in Yorkshire and the percentage according to the de-rating proposals, differentiating between tonnage that will benefit by the reduction in freightage proposals;

(2) the approximate quantity of coal produced in Yorkshire and its percentage of the total output for that county that will qualify for a reduction in freightage under the Valuation and Apportionment Act?

Commodore KING

The output of coal in Yorkshire is approximately 44,000,000 tons per annum, but I have no definite information of the quantity which is used at iron and steel works or shipped abroad and therefore entitled to benefit by the proposals for reduced railway freights. As I informed the hon. Member for Roth-well (Mr. Lunn) yesterday, the estimated average reduction in the cost of production of coal commercially disposable in Yorkshire due to de-rating of the collieries themselves would be about 4d. per ton or 2½ per cent.

Mr. T, WILLIAMS

How does the hon. and gallant Gentleman reconcile that figure with the reply that he gave in this House on 2nd May of this year, when he stated that the average rate per ton paid by colliery owners in Yorkshire was 2.57d.?

Commodore KING

I am certainly not aware that I ever gave such an answer. Anyhow, at the present time the reduction in rates will amount to an average of 4d. a ton for Yorkshire.

Mr. WILLIAMS

On a point of Order. On 2nd May of this year the hon. and gallant Gentleman replied to a question—

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member's question shows how inconvenient it is in a supplementary question to refer to an answer given by a Minister some time ago which he cannot be expected to carry in his mind.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Information is sought from the hon. and gallant Gentleman, and, when the reply is forthcoming, we find that the figures given by him have no relation—[Interruption.]

Mr. SPEAKER

That really is not a point of Order. It is a matter of argument.

Mr. WILLIAMS

But when erroneous statements are made and circulated throughout the country, are we not entitled to have them corrected?

Mr. SPEAKER

It is a matter for another question at another time.

Mr. WILLIAMS

He is giving the wrong figure again to-day.

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member should put the question down.