§ Mr. Stewartasked the Minister of Fuel and Power following upon the increased price of coal at the pit head, what will be the additional cost of coal delivered to the average householder of railway carriage per ton-mile; of electricity and gas to the average householder; of electricity and gas to the average industrial user; and of coal exported abroad.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerConsumers in the Southern regions who obtain the maximum permitted quantity of house coal (34 cwt.) will pay an additional 7s. 1d. per year, and in the remainder of the country, where the maximum permitted quantity is 50 cwt., the corresponding additional cost will be 10s. 5d. per year. The increase in the price of coal at the pit head will inevitably increase railway and public utility costs, but I am not in a position to forecast the effect on railway freight charges or electricity and gas tariffs, which are affected by many other factors. The prices of coal for export are fixed by the National Coal Board, but I understand that they are not to be increased at present.