§ 36. Sir P. Robertsasked the Minister of Power by how much the average price of coal sold by the National Coal Board has risen during the last three years.
§ Mr. John MorrisThere has been no general increase in the pithead price of coal for more than four years and no selective price increases since May, 1962. In September, 1964, coking coal prices were reduced by an average of 2s. 6d. per ton.
§ 37. Sir P. Robertsasked the Minister of Power if he will give a general direction to the National Coal Board, in the public interest, not to increase the price of coal during the next twelve months and to absorb any extra costs by greater efficiency.
§ Mr. John MorrisNo. The National Coal Board is aware of the considerations governing prices charged by the nationalised industries which were set out by my right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic
Year Average earnings per manshift worked Average proceeds per ton saleable Productivity (saleable output per man shift) *Date of national wages award s. d. s. d. cwts. 1947 … 27 8 40 3 21.5 November 1948 … 31 9 47 3 22.3 — 1949 … 32 11 47 11 23.4 — 1950 … 34 0 47 10 24.2 October 1951 … 37 2 51 2 24.5 January and November 1952 … 41 5 57 3 24.2 — 1953 … 43 5 61 1 24.6 February 1954 … 45 8 63 6 24.9 January 1955 … 48 8 68 0 24.7 April 1956 … 53 0 77 0 24.8 February 1957 … 57 1 82 1 24.9 March 1958 … 59 1 85 1 25.6 September 1959 … 60 5 83 5 26.9 — 1960 … 62 0 86 1 27.9 September 1961 … 65 7 90 10 28.9 January 1962 … 68 0 91 9 31.2 April April,1963-March,1964 … 72 1 91 8 33.4 1963, April 1964, June * Source: National Coal Board Reports and Accounts 1947–1963/4. Increased productivity needs to cover several things apart from increases in wage rates. During the period as a whole
190WAffairs in reply to the hon. Member for Tynemouth (Dame Irene Ward) on 4th February, 1965.