Oral Answers to Questions — National Finance. – in the House of Commons at on 19 June 1941.
Mr John Tinker
, Leigh
asked the Chancellor of the exchequer whether he will consider the position of coal as one of the essential commodities now required, and the stabilising of the price to be paid by consumers, and anything beyond this fixed price to be met by a subsidy from the State such as is done in several other essential things?
Sir Kingsley Wood
, Woolwich West
On the general issues involved in this Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the Reply I gave to the hon. Member for Hendon (Sir R. Blair) on the 17th instant. I could not give any such unconditional undertaking as is suggested in the Question, nor could I decide whether the circumstances justified a subsidy to coal without taking into account the position of other essential commodities and services.
Mr John Tinker
, Leigh
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the present position is very unsatisfactory? Prices go up, and the public feel that they are not being dealt with properly?
Sir Kingsley Wood
, Woolwich West
I cannot accept that as an accurate statement.
Mr Thomas Levy
, Elland
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that comparatively little coal is being distributed and that, unless the matter is dealt with, many munitions works will close down for lack of coal before long?
Sir Kingsley Wood
, Woolwich West
The Question relates to a subsidy on coal.
The chancellor of the exchequer is the government's chief financial minister and as such is responsible for raising government revenue through taxation or borrowing and for controlling overall government spending.
The chancellor's plans for the economy are delivered to the House of Commons every year in the Budget speech.
The chancellor is the most senior figure at the Treasury, even though the prime minister holds an additional title of 'First Lord of the Treasury'. He normally resides at Number 11 Downing Street.
