§ Mr. D. GRENFELLasked the Secretary for Mines what is the present cost of production of a ton of best household coal, with wages and other costs shown separately; and the present Belling price in London, showing the items entering into the price under three heads, namely, costs of production, railway charges, and distribution charges?
§ Dr. BURGIN:I have been asked to reply. Particulars of the cost of production of a particular class of coal are not available, but during the year 1932 the average costs of production at the pithead per ton of all coal disposed of commercially were: wages 9s. 1¾ d., and other costs 4s. 8¼d. Railway charges vary according to the district in which the coal is produced, but, on the average, the railway rate, including wagon hire, from the Midlands to London is about 12s. per 1614W ton. The only information available regarding distribution charges of particular classes of house coal will be found in Appendix No. 9 to the Report on the Royal Commission on the Coal Industry (1925).