Sir J. D. REESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that an increase of 6s. a ton in the price of coal would add upwards of£73,000 a year to the cost of carrying on the gas and electricity departments of the Nottingham Corporation, with the result that considerable additions would be necessary to the rates prevailing in the city, while the export trade of the county in coal would be almost destroyed, and the poor would be unable to keep warm in the winter; and whether these cogent circumstances will receive due consideration as well as the demands of the miners?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANMy right hon. Friend referred in his statement on Monday to the serious consequences of the increase of coal prices on the cost of production of gas and electricity and on the export trade, and to the hardship which will be caused to consumers generally. I can only express the hope that the result of the proposals which were made on Monday will be to secure a material increase in output and a corresponding reduction in costs of production and prices.