§ 23. Colonel Clarkeasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the comparative rise between 1939 and November, 1947, in the wholesale prices of British coal, and other British-produced basic materials, such as bricks, timber, steel, cement, wool, milk, and oats, subsidies and transport costs not to be taken into account.
§ Mr. H. WilsonWith the hon. and gallant Member's permission, I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT showing the increases in the price of representative kinds of the commodities mentioned, so far as particulars are available.
§ Squadron-Leader FlemingCould the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether the coal referred to will be clean or dirty coal?
Following is the statement:
Increases in the wholesale prices of the undermentioned commodities between August, 1939, and November, 1947, excluding where possible, the effect of subsidies and transport costs.
Per cent. Coal: Lancashire Best House, at pit 106 Yorkshire Best House, at pit, Leeds 92 Yorkshire Hards, at pit, Doncaster 139 Bricks: Common Building ex works 75 Steel: Billets, basic, soft, untested ex works 85* Cement: Ordinary Portland, ex works 65 Wool: Average market price of British wool 145 Milk: Wholesale price delivered England and Wales 122 Oats: White (milling) oats, ex farm average London and Liverpool 178 * Inclusive of subsidy and transport costs. If the average subsidy on steel were added the increase in price would be raised to 115.