HC Deb 30 November 1937 vol 329 cc1866-7
30. Mr. Batey

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the minimum prices fixed in each district selling scheme are in operation or whether there is still some coal being sold at less than the minimum prices?

Captain Crookshank

With the exception of certain minimum prices for export in Scotland, I know of no minimum prices the determination of which is required by a district selling scheme which are not in operation. No cases of evasion of minimum prices have been brought to my notice.

Mr. Batey

That reply does not answer my question, which was whether any coal is being sold under the minimum price?

Captain Crookshank

As I have just said, no case of evasion of coal prices has been brought to my notice.

Major-General Sir Alfred Knox

Will the hon. and gallant Member be careful to keep up the cost of living to the poor consumer?

31. Mr. Batey

asked the Secretary for Mines which district is allowed to sell its coal in the London market for household purposes; and whether he can state the pithead price and the cost of the conveyance of such coal?

Captain Crookshank

So far as I am aware, any coal mining district may sell its coal on the London market for household purposes. The information at my disposal relates to average pithead prices of coal and not to prices charged for coal to particular markets, while the cost of conveyance varies according to the distance of the colliery from London and whether the coal is rail-borne or sea-borne.

Mr. Batey

Surely the Minister will give a different answer from that? What we want the Minister to answer is, what are the pit-head prices of coal sent to London, and what is the cost of convey- ance? Surely he can answer those questions?

Captain Crookshank

If the hon. Member thinks over the considerations which I have given in my reply, he will see the difficulty of such a reply.

Mr. Batey

We have been told that before. Why not give an answer now?

Mr. Shinwell

Cannot the hon. and gallant Gentleman ask the Coal Merchants' Federation in London what are the pithead prices?

Captain Crookshank

We know what the average pit-head prices are, because they are published, but the hon. Gentleman is asking for something quite different, for a figure which obviously must depend upon the distance to London from the colliery and the means of transport, whether rail or sea.

Mr. Shinwell

Is not the Coal Merchants' Federation in London aware of the pit-head prices of coal sold in the area and of the cost of transport?