§ 58. Mr. H. Hyndasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what he estimates that the cost of imported coal would be to industrial users, based on the full economic price; and what they are actually paying now for a comparable grade of coal.
§ The Minister of Fuel and Power (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)On average the loss on imported coal is about £2 per ton, but 29 most of the imports go to domestic consumers and to the gas and electricity industries.
§ Mr. HyndWill the Minister confirm or deny that industrialists get their coal more cheaply than domestic users?
§ Mr. BlytonIs the Minister aware that there is great dissatisfaction in mining circles that industrialists should get coal at uneconomic prices? Is he further aware that the miners will not accept this depressed balance sheet on the payment of import coal as an argument for worsening their wages and conditions?
§ Mr. LloydIt is not true that industrialists are getting their coal at uneconomic prices, any more than it is true that the domestic consumer or the Central Electricity Authority get their coal at an uneconomic price.
§ 59. Mr. Collinsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what proportion of the increase of 18 per cent. in the pithead price of coal is attributable to the estimated loss of £24 million on coal imports.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydAbout one-fifth.
§ Mr. CollinsIs the Minister aware of the enormous increase which takes place when that one-fifth goes through the chain of distribution in various industries, and comes to the end price? Will not he press his colleagues to alter the present absurd system and to allow the National Coal Board to charge prices in accordance with the cost of production of home-produced coal alone?