§ Mr. Morleyasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the pithead price of a ton of Yorkshire domestic coal and Northumberland domestic coal; and what is the cost of freightage per ton to Southampton.
§ Mr. RobensMy right hon. Friend's responsibility in this matter is confined to fixing the retail prices for domestic coal in the Southampton area. These are based on the pithead prices charged by the National Coal Board plus freight and costs of distribution. Seaborne Domestic coal supplied to Southampton from Yorkshire and Northumberland is charged by the National Coal Board to the importers 191W at f.o.b. prices which, on the average, are, I understand, as follows:
- Northumberland 1st Grade 54s. 10d. a ton.
- Northumberland 2nd Grade 50s. 11½d. a ton.
- Yorkshire 57s. 7½d. a ton.
The cost of freightage to Southampton depends upon the port of origin and the size of vessel used, but amounts on the average to 14s.8d. a ton. The retail price of coal to the consumer includes in addition the cost of discharging and screening coal at Southampton, transport from the port to the merchant's depot and the costs of distribution by the merchant.