Price

HC Deb 26 February 1948 vol 447 cc2111-2

60. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what action he is taking to secure a reduction in the price of coal.

Mr. Gaitskell

One of the main objectives in setting up the National Coal Board was to keep the price of coal as low as practicable consistant with preserving a proper standard of living for the mineworkers and with attracting the labour force required. I am confident that the Board will continue to do everything in their power to achieve this objective.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Does that answer mean that no express and specific action has been taken by the Minister, as a result of the appeal by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to private industry a fortnight ago; and that it is the policy of the Government to exclude from that appeal this nationalised monoply and, if so, why?

Mr. Gaitskell

If the hon. Gentleman has read the Chancellor's speech carefully, or listened to it carefully—

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I did both.

Mr. Gaitskell

—he would have observed that the main purpose of seeking a reduction in prices was to reduce the profits being made by certain sections of private enterprise—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."] That was the main purpose. After all, I do not think it will be suggested that the main purpose was to make a loss. That being so, since the National Coal Board is not concerned to make profits, there would be no particular purpose in addressing that appeal to them.

Mr. Thomas Brown

Is the Minister aware that the days of cheap coal at the expense of the wages and conditions of the mineworkers have gone?

Squadron-Leader Fleming

Is the Minister aware that, in his original reply, he did not refer in any way to the question of safeguarding the interests of the consumer, and will he take steps to see that when coal is sold to the domestic user the prices are not charged for the 10 per cent. of dirt that goes with it?

Mr. Gaitskell

I should have thought that to have the price of coal as low as practicable was certainly in the interests of the consumer.

Mr. A. Edward Davies

Would not the Minister agree that there is scope for economy in distribution costs?

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

This is a wide subject. We might discuss it all day.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I beg to give notice that, in view of the inconsistency of the right hon. Gentleman's answer with the policy of His Majesty's Government, I will raise this matter on the Adjournment.