§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the average increase per ton in the price of coal as a result of the increased wages payable by the National Coal Board from March; what have been the increases in coal prices over the past five years in money and percentage terms; and how the increases have compared with the decline in the purchasing power of the pound.
§ Mr. EadieThe increase in coal prices in March and April 1975 were designed to raise £370 million additional revenue in the year 1975–76 to take account of increases in the National Coal Board's costs, of which the miners' wage settlement formed an important part.
The increases varied according to the type of coal and the market supplied. Pit prices of industrial and coking coals rose by just over 30 per cent. from 1st March, most steam coals increasing by between £3 and £4.50 a ton and coking coals by between £5 and £7 a ton. Pit prices of domestic coals rose by between £3 and £4.50 a ton depending on type and quality from 1st April, but were subject to the seasonal reduction of £2 a ton from 1st April to 30th September. The overall average increase for all coals was about 30 per cent., or just over £3.80 a ton.
In the five years to April 1975 the average increase in pithead prices of all coals has been £11.59 a ton, or 229 per cent. The general index of retail prices has increased by 147.6 per cent. during the same period.