§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that the coal merchants in London have recently increased the various classes of coal at least 2s. per ton; that the price of coal has been increased from 10th September up to the end of December, 1923, ranging from 4s. to 8s. per ton; that from 16th November to 29th December, 1923, there was no increase at the pit head for Derbyshire brights, Derbyshire best house, or large nuts; that the output between 13th October and 10th November, 1923, was increased by about 200,000 tons; that the export shows a big decline during the same period, but the coal merchants increased the price of coal; and if the Government intends bringing forward legislation to deal with the matter?
§ Lieut.-Colonel LANE-FOXI am informed that between the 10th September and the end of December the retail prices of these qualities of coal rose by 6s. a ton, and the pit-head prices by amounts varying from 4s. to 5s. 6d. a ton. I do not follow the hon. Member's allusion to output and export between the 13th October and 10th November. It is true that exports were lower in November than in October, but the tendency of output during that period was downwards rather than upwards, and in any case I do not understand the significance that the hon. Member appears to attach to these particular four weeks. The Government do not intend to propose legislation on the subject.