§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that just before 1276W the stoppage of work in the coal mines the engineer and manager to the county borough of West Ham electricity department purchased 1,500 tons of coal at the cost of 38s. 6d. per ton, which the Government held up, and in consequence of the supplies running short the Government allowed a further quantity, and the dealers are now charging 68s. 6d. per ton; that this extra 30s. will mean an additional cost of £2,250 to the Corporation, who are already losing over £200 per week through the restrictions of coal supply; and, seeing that the cost of these demurrage charges should fall on the nation and not on corporations, whether the Government intend taking any action in the matter?
§ Mr. BALDWINI have been asked to reply. The Mines Department has already been in communication with the West Ham Corporation regarding this case. The principle followed, is, on the outbreak of emergency, to hold up all coal afloat in British ships as a mobile reserve to meet requirements necessary for the existence of the community wherever they may arise. It is a mere chance that when the need for further supplies for West Ham Electricity Department arose, the coal released was part of a supply originally consigned to them. When coal is held in this way charges, such as demurrage, etc., necessarily accumulate, and the principle is followed that the consumer receiving the emergency supply must pay the costs of that supply. No other course is practicable, and the principle is obviously fair and just. I am afraid I cannot agree with the hon. Member that such extra costs arising out of the emergency should fall upon the Exchequer.