§ LORD JOHN MANNERSasked the President of the Board of Trade, What was the quantity of Coal exported during the year 1871, and in the first six months of 1872; and whether the imposition of any Duty on the export of Coal to Foreign Countries is forbidden by existing Treaties, and, if so, when such restrictions will expire?
§ MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUEsaid, the figures found in the monthly and annual Report of the Board of Trade were these—The quantity of coal and coke, cinders, and manufactured fuel exported from the United Kingdom during the year 1871 was 12,747,000 tons, and during the first six months of this year 6,466,000 tons. With regard to the second part of the Question, the Treaty of Commerce between the United Kingdom and France of 1860, which it was known was denounced by France in March last, would not expire till March next, and under its provisions no export duty could be levied on coal, so far as France was concerned. Precisely the same engagements were entered into between this country and the Zollverein in 1865, and that Treaty would continue in force till 1877; consequently no export duty could be levied on coal exported to the States of the Zollverein till that date, nor to the numerous countries which possessed the right of the most favoured nation by Treaty.