HC Deb 25 July 1944 vol 402 c580
37. Mr. Barnes

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether there is to be an increase in the price of coal in the near future.

Major Lloyd George

Yes, there will be an increase of 4s. a ton in the price of coal, as from 1st August. This price increase is required first to meet the cost of the increased wages paid under the Porter Awards and as a result of other negotiations of which I have informed the House, and second to liquidate, as soon as is reasonably possible, advances made by the Treasury to the Charges Account in order to enable the higher wages to be paid before prices were increased, to meet other costs which were not fully covered by the earlier price increase, and to maintain the owners' credit balances.

Mr. Barnes

Did the Government give full consideration to the reactions of a price increase of this kind throughout industry, before they decided to put the whole cost on to the consumer?

Major Lloyd George

Yes, Sir, every consideration was taken into account.

Mr. Thorne

Will the increase apply to the thousands of tons of coal which are already in stock?

Major Lloyd George

I am not quite clear what my hon. Friend means.

Mr. Thorne

There are thousands of tons of coal in stock. Will the price increase apply to them?

Major Lloyd George

Certainly.

Mr. Mathers

At 4s. per ton, what will be the increase per cwt.?

Major Lloyd George

In most cases, I think it will be between 2d. and 3d.