§ Mr. CAREWasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the great scarcity of anthracite coal in the county of Devon, some coal merchants having been unable to obtain a supply for over a year; and can he take steps to relieve the situation?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI am not aware of a general scarcity of anthracite in Devon, nor of any case where a merchant has not been able to obtain supplies for over a year. Shortages have occurred here and there in that county, and have been dealt with as they have arisen. The main difficulty has been transport.
Major GREAMEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the price of anthracite coal sold for domestic use is controlled; if so, what is the present controlled price per ton to domestic consumers 73W in the Metropolitan area; and whether such price gives the consumer the benefit of the 10s. per ton reduction in the price of house coal?
§ Sir A. GEDDESIn the majority of districts (including the Metropolitan area), maximum retail prices have not been fixed for anthracite. The reduction of 10s. per ton applies to the pit head price of anthracite supplied for domestic or household purposes, and there is no reason to suppose that the merchant will not give the consumer the benefit of any reduction which he himself received.