§ Mr. Tinkerasked the Minister of Supply when a levy was placed upon pit-wood used in the coal industry; the reason for such levy; and with whom consultations took place prior to such a decision?
§ Mr. Harold MacmillanI presume my hon. Friend refers to the National (Coal Mines) Timber Charge of 4d. per ton on sales of coal which is imposed by the Timber (Charges) (No. 1) Order, 'No, made on the 29th June. The cost of imported pitprops is greater than the price of the home-grown product, and in order to avoid large differences in the cost of pit-props to different mines the prices for the imported product are fixed at a level lower than the cost of importation. The difference is recovered by the National (Coal Mines) Timber Charge. The proceeds of the charge will also be used to equalise the cost of pitprops at the mines from whatever home-grown source they may be transported. The scheme does not apply for the time being to mines in the counties of Monmouth, Glamorgan, Pembroke, Carmarthen and Brecon, which at present pay the full cost of pitwood that they themselves import under licence. As regards the last part of the Question, the scheme was prepared at the instance of my hon. Friend the Secretary for Mines, after prior consultation with the Mining Association. It has also been accepted by the Mine Workers Federation.