§ 18. Mr. A. Jenkinsasked the Secretary for Mines whether, as a result of the negotiations that have taken place between the owners of the coal and steel industries for the purpose of fixing prices, he can supply particulars as to the prices agreed upon; and also if an agreement has been reached with regard to the price of coke being included in the arrangement?
§ Captain CrookshankI am aware that in respect of both coal and coke discussions have been taking place with the steel industries, but I have no particulars 189 of any price policy that may have been agreed.
§ 23. Mr. David Grenfellasked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the growing disparity between pit-head prices and those paid by industrial and domestic consumers in this country and the general apprehension that undue increases are being demanded from all classes of buyers, he will call for a return showing comparative prices paid in the September quarter, 1935, and the same quarter, 1937, in order to obtain reliable information regarding the effect of selling schemes upon consumers' prices and upon the earnings of men employed in the mining industry?
§ Captain CrookshankI regret that I have no power to call for a return of retail prices, but the hon. Member is, of course, aware that information as to pithead proceeds of coal and their effect on the men's earnings is shown by the wages ascertainments.
§ Mr. GrenfellIs the Minister not aware that the ascertainment figures published of pit-head prices do not at all indicate the real prices in the market, and in view of the great disparity, and the widespread apprehension that undue prices are being charged, will not the hon. and gallant Gentleman inquire and see where the disparity exists?
§ Mr. ShinwellWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman say why it is impossible to obtain retail prices? Could he not ask the Retail Coalmerchants' Federation for these figures, as I have done myself on a previous occasion?
§ Captain CrookshankThe fact remains that if one has no power to call for returns it is not necessarily easy to get this information. I am not aware of the apprehension mentioned by the hon. Member for Gower (Mr. Grenfell).
§ Mr. A. V. AlexanderIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman will write to me, I will send him some figures.
§ Mr. GrenfellIs the Minister not aware that industrialists are bitterly complaining about having to pay 6s. or 7s. more per ton than 12 months ago, and that there is no indication of this in the ascertainment?
§ Captain CrookshankIf industrialists or anybody else are aggrieved that they are paying too much, their remedy lies in an application to the committee of investigation which exists for the protection of the consumer.
§ Mr. GrenfellBut the consumer does that at very great inconvenience to himself. Will not the hon. and gallant Gentleman give this House the information which it is entitled to have in regard to this very important matter?
§ 24. Mr. Grenfellasked the Secretary for Mines the quantity of coal retained for internal consumption in Great Britain in 1931 and 1936, and the estimated consumption for all inland purposes for 1937; whether he can supply an estimate showing the gross annual amount paid by consumers in each year and the extent by which increased prices have been due to selling schemes?
§ Captain CrookshankThe quantity of coal available for consumption in Great Britain in the year 1931 was 155.7 million tons, and in 1936, 175.9 million tons. Consumption in the first 10 months of 1937 was at the rate of about 180 million tons per annum. I regret that information to enable the estimate asked for in the second part of the question to be made is not available, but in my view the rise in prices is attributable more to the increased demand than to the revised selling schemes.
§ Mr. GrenfellWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman in this case cause inquiries to be made so that the House may be put in possession of this very important information?
§ Captain CrookshankI really do not know how this kind of inquiry can be made. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will tell me what he has in mind.
§ Mr. GrenfellThe hon. and gallant Gentleman does not seem to realise the importance attached to the matter in this House. I give notice that I will raise the matter at the first opportunity on the Adjournment.