§ Mr. Peytonasked the Minister of Power if he will make a statement on coal prices, following the report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes.
§ Mr. Frederick LeeThe Government have studied the reports of the National Board for Prices and Incomes and of the Domestic and Industrial Coal Consumers' Councils. We accept the recommendations of the National Board that increases in coal prices to yield a revenue of £80 million in 1966–67 are necessary and that they should be selective so as to reflect more closely the costs of producing coal in individual areas. This will help the concentration of the coal industry on the good modern pits which exist in all the main coalfields. Details of the increases, which come after five years stability in the general level of coal prices, will be announced in the usual way by the National Coal Board.
The Government also accept the recommendation of the National Board for Prices and Incomes that there should be an investigation into the distribution costs of coal, particularly as they affect the domestic consumer. A reference has today been made to the Board which covers the distribution costs, not only of coal, but of solid fuel manufactured from coal.