§ 56. Mr. SHINWELLasked the Secretary for Mines the average inland selling prices for coal produced in the Durham coalfield since the termination of the coal dispute, and the average price for the December quarter of 1935?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKI regret that particulars of inland selling prices are not available. The average pithead proceeds per ton of all coal disposable commercially in Durham in the December quarter, 1935, were 12s. 7¼d., and in January, 1936, 13s. 2¾d. The figure for February is not yet known.
§ Mr. SHINWELLIs it not possible for the hon. and gallant Gentleman's Department to distinguish as between the inland price and the export price?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKThe question asked was what is the average selling price, and I have replied that those particulars are not available, as the hon. Gentleman ought to know.
§ Mr. SHINWELLDo I understand that it is impossible to ascertain what is the actual inland selling price of coal in a particular coal area?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKI have explained in my answer that the particulars are not available.
§ 57. Mr. SHINWELLasked the Secretary for Mines the average export selling price for coal produced in Durham since the termination of the coal dispute, and the average price for the, December quarter of 1935?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKSeparate figures for Durham are not available, but the average f.o.b. value per ton of coal exported from the north-east coast ports during the December quarter, 1935, was 13s. 6d., in January, 1936, 13s. 9d., and in February, 1936, 13s. 10d.
§ Mr. SHINWELLIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the inland price has been substantially increased, whereas the export price remains the same or is even less than before, and that inland consumers are being asked to subsidise our export trade?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKAll these inferences seem to me to be inaccurate. The reply I have just given shows that the f.o.b. prices have been rising in the last three months.
§ Mr. SHINWELLHow can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say that the inferences are inaccurate with respect to the Durham coalfield, when he was unable to give an answer to the question I put just now?