§ 30. Mr. Bartleyasked the Minister of Fuel and Power to state for each area he has selected, the basic retail price for the average quality of house coal; and how much of the price is represented by the pithead price, transport costs, delivery costs and the retailers margin of profit.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydSince there are some 90 main areas with different prices, two examples only have been selected.
MAXIMUM PRICES OF GROUP 4 HOUSE COAL Per ton — London Part of Durham including Chester-le-Street U.D. and R.D. and Washington U.D. s. d. s. d. Pithead price 70 0 71 2 Transport 33 9 1 1 Retail delivery costs 25 4 18 8 Retail profit margin 2 3 2 3 Maximum price to consumer 131 4 93 2 NoteNo account is taken of variations under the summer/winter prices scheme.
§ 31. Mr. Bartleyasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether the review of the selling price of coal to industrial consumers has been completed; and whether the National Coal Board is now receiving an economic price for such coal.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydYes. The National Coal Board fully reviewed its policy in this matter before making the coal price changes which came into effect on 3rd May last.
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§ Mr. Bartleyasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what increases per ton, have been made in the price of domestic coal to the consumer since the mines were nationalised; and the increases for the comparable period immediately prior to nationalisation.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydRecords of average prices to consumers are not kept but it is estimated that between 1st January, 1947 and 31st October, 1954 average increases totalled about 44s. per ton and between 1st March, 1939 and 31st December, 1946 about 26s. per ton.