§ Mr. J. Griffithsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power the minimum profit per ton permitted to be charged to the coal charges fund; the number of colliery undertakers that are drawing upon the fund to realise this minimum profit; and the total amount paid from the fund to date to meet this charge.
Major Lloyd GeorģeThe Government have guaranteed a minimum national credit balance of 1s. 6d. per ton on the ascertainment costs of the industry; the greater part of this balance is available as profit, though not the whole of it. All the colliery undertakings are allowed price allowances from the Coal Charges Account at such rates as may be needed to maintain district credit balances; these balances vary in different coal mining districts but the average accords with the National balance. The total amount chargeable to the fund for price allowances from 3rd June, 1942, to 31st December, 1943, is £27,500,000; it is allowed to the collieries by deduction from the coal charge which they have to pay. The credit balances of the industry during the period were of course substantially less than £27,500,000.
§ Mr. Fosterasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what machinery exists in his 672W Department for checking claims made by necessitous undertakings against the Coal Charges Order Fund, 1942.
Major Lloyd GeorģeClaims made by colliery undertakings are examined by accountants appointed by the Executive Boards of Districts, by the Executive Boards themselves, and finally by a headquarters Committee formed of members nominated by the Central Council of the industry and others by myself. At all stages full reports and information are available to the Committees. The scheme operates under arrangements which I have approved under paragraph 6 of the Coal Charges Order of June, 1942.
§ Mr. Fosterasked the Minister of Fuel and Power the present levy per ton being paid into the Coal Charges Order Fund, 1942, and the latest total figure in the fund, with the latest total claims made against the fund by necessitous undertakings.
Major Lloyd GeorģeUnder Statutory Rule and Order, 1944, No. 109, which is now awaiting the approval of the House, the Coal Charges Levy is increased to 8s. per ton as from the 1st day of February, 1944. Payments into the Coal Charges Account from its inception to the 31st day of January, 1944, amount to £57,720,000; payments made out of the account to Necessitous Undertakings up to the 31st day of January, 1944, amount to £4,637,000.
§ Mr. Tinkerasked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many necessitous undertakings in the coal industry are receiving help from the coal charges fund; how many there are in Lancashire; and what are the percentages both for Lancashire and the whole of the coal industry.
§ Mr. Fosterasked the Minister of Fuel and Power the present number of necessitous undertakings under the Coal Charges Order, 1942, in the British coalfield.
Major Lloyd GeorģeThe number of undertakings in the coal industry which have received financial assistance during the period from 1st July, 1943, to 31st January, 1944, is 84; of these eight are situated in Lancashire. These figures represent respectively about 9 per cent. of the undertakings in the industry, and about 20 per cent. of those in Lancashire.