HC Deb 12 April 1954 vol 526 c771
1. Mr. Dudley Williams

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the price per ton of domestic coal in Merthyr Tydfil and Exeter.

The Minister of Fuel and Power (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)

Railborne Group 4 coals, 106s. 7d. per ton and 141s. 8d. per ton respectively.

Mr. Williams

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the great hardship that is caused to old-age pensioners and others on small incomes by this disparity in price? As one of the principal products of Devonshire, namely, milk, is provided at a uniform price all over the country, why cannot we have the same where coal is concerned?

Mr. Lloyd

This is a question which is raised periodically in the districts remote from the coalfields, but, of course, coal weighs very much more than milk.

Mr. Williams

Is it not related to the fact that one is a private concern and the other is a State concern?

Mr. Lloyd

No, in fairness I do not think it is. This is something which has existed since the coal industry began.

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