§ 39. Mr. J. L. Williamsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of complaints about delays in delivery to Glasgow coal merchants during December and January last; and what steps are being taken to remedy this situation.
§ Mr. GaitskellYes, Sir. Deliveries to merchants in Scotland generally have fallen short because Scottish coal output has been below expectations. To deal with the situation, the Scottish Division of the National Coal Board has been relieved of certain other commitments to supply large coal, and at the same time arrangements have been made for additional supplies to be sent from England.
§ 40. Mr. J. L. Williamsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many tons of coal delivered to Glasgow merchants last month formed the supplies which were sold to customers at the retail prices of 4s. 5d. and 4s. 6d. per hundredweight.
GaitskellThree thousand, eight hundred and thirty tons of coal from Northumberland were despatched to Glasgow merchants in January, for which the maximum retail price was first fixed at 4s. 5d. per hundredweight and raised to 4s. 6d. per hundredweight on 24th January.
§ Mr. WilliamsIs my right hon. Friend aware of the grave dissatisfaction with 525 these prices, as compared with 3s. 10d. per cwt. which was normally paid for equally good coal for domestic use?
§ Mr. GaitskellOf course I appreciate that this coal is priced rather higher than Scottish coal, but the price has to cover increased transport costs.
§ Sir William DarlingIs it not the case that there have been more exports of Scottish coal over the past year?
§ Mr. GaitskellCertainly, that is so, as the exports from Great Britain as a whole have increased.
§ Mrs. CullenIs my right hon. Friend aware that in the City of Glasgow, merchants are holding up supplies to ordinary people and selling them after dusk in the residential quarters of the city at higher prices?
§ Mr. GaitskellI have no information to that effect, but if my hon. Friend will give me details I shall be glad to look into the matter.