89. Mr. Whiteieyasked the Minister of Supply whether his attention has been called to the excessive rates charged by firms for colliery timber; that contract prices are being cancelled and full maximum prices charged; and whether he will have full inquiries made into this system of profiteering?
§ Colonel LlewellinColliery timber cannot be sold at prices higher than the maxima fixed by the Control of Timber (No. 1 and 2 Orders) 1939, which are not excessive. It would not be practicable for my right hon. Friend to fix a price for each contract, and whether in particular cases a contract should be cancelled or a lower price than the maximum should be agreed upon is a matter for settlement between the parties.
Mr. WhiteleyIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in this case the particular timber has been stocked long before the war, that contract prices were fixed for timber and that now the contract price has been altered and brought up to the maximum price?
§ Colonel LlewellinMy right hon. Friend cannot issue an order dealing with 1027 individual contracts. What he has tried to do is to issue an order putting on a proper maximum price. Of course, whether there has been a breach of contract between a colliery and a timber supplier must be a matter for the courts and not for the Minister.
Mr. WhiteleyIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this is a case for the profiteering Act? This is surely a case of profiteering where the timber has been stocked and the people who have owned the timber have deliberately raised the price to the maximum price?
§ Colonel LlewellinWithout knowing the details I could not agree with what the hon. Member suggests, but if he will send the particulars of the particular contract he has in mind I will certainly inquire into it.