§ Mr. Morleyasked the Minister of Fuel and Power why, in view of the 3s. 1d. increase in the cost of house coal publicly announced as due to increased rail freightage to operate from 8th May, the Southern Regional Office has increased the price of this coal by 1s. 8d. on 23rd April and another 1s. on 1st May, both increases being unannounced to the public, making a total increase of 5s. 9d. in five weeks; and if these additional increases were general throughout the country.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerThe increase of is. 8d. a ton on 23rd April applied throughout the Southern Region and was in respect of an increase in the costs of distribution by the retail merchants in that Region as established by a costing review. The increase of 1s. a ton on 1st May applied to the Southampton area only and was due to the increased cost of the coal imported into the area. The actual cost of importation is ascertained quarterly and prices are adjusted as appropriate. In accordance 285W with the general practice when local price changes are made, both increases were announced by amendment of the retail coal prices schedules which are publicly displayed in the offices of all local fuel overseers and coal merchants in the area. Price changes which apply throughout the country, such as those due to the recent rail freight increases, of which the increase of 3s. 1d. a ton in Southampton as from 15th May was one,
DEATHS OF PERSONS EMPLOYED IN FISHING VESSELS REGISTERED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM * 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Year Approximate number employed in Sea Fishing Deaths due to accidents occurring in the course of employment (excluding deaths due to the war) Deaths due to accidents as a percentage of number employed (Col. 3 as percentage of Col. 2) (a) Deaths due to causes arising out of the war Total number of deaths Total number of deaths as a percentage of number employed (Col. 6 as percentage of Col. 2) 1945 … … 34,500 18 0.05 67 85 0.25 1946 … … 43,100 24 0.05 19 43 0.10 1947 … … 46,500 26 0.06 17 43 0.09 1948 … … 48,700 69 0.14 3 72 0.15 1949 … … 49,200 46 0.09 — 46 0.09 1950 … … not available 4 — — 4 — * Including vessels registered in the Channel Isles and Isle of Man. Note.—(a) Most of these deaths were due to mines.