§ 40. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Fuel and Power the production cost per ton of coal in 1913, 1921 and at the latest available date; and what was the profit or loss per ton, excluding subsidies, for the same dates.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe total costs of production per ton of coal disposable commercially in 1913 were 9s. 5d.; in 1921, 31s. 10d., excluding subvention; and in 1945, 35s. 11d.
§ Corresponding figures for profit or loss were is. 7½d. profit: 3s. 0½d. loss; and Is. 7d profit, after taking into account payments into the Coal Charges Account amounting to 10d. a ton.
§ Sir W. SmithersAre not these figures a terrible indictment of the results of nationalisation?
§ Mr. ShinwellThe hon. Member will have noted from the figures that the highest loss sustained was 1921 when it was 3s. 0½d. per ton.