§ MR. HENRY H. FOWLER (Wolverhampton, E.)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, If he can inform the House what were the average prices per ton of the coal, iron, and steel (including cost of carriage) delivered to the Dockyards at Chatham, Portsmouth, and Plymouth in the year 1886?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON)) Middlesex, EalingThere are so many kinds of coal—steam vessel, furnace, yard engine, &c.—and descriptions and sizes of steel and iron plates, bars, angles, &c, that an average price, as asked for, could only be given with an infinity of labour, and, when furnished, would be of no practical use. The following average prices of certain specific descriptions may be of some service:—Welsh steam coal, per ton, Chatham, 12s. 5d.; Portsmouth, 12s.; and Plymouth, 11s. 11d.; furnace coal (chiefly N.C.), per ton, Chatham, 10s. 10d.; Portsmouth, 12s. 6d.; Plymouth, 12s. 4d.