SIR HOWARD VINCENTI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the rise in the price of coal and the difficulties it will entail if long maintained upon many British industries, as also the suffering it will cause to the poor in winter; whether he has any official information to show that this result has been brought about by the increase in the purchases of coal by foreign competition, or by the laying in of stocks by foreign navies; and whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter in the interests of the home population, and of the defensive requirements of the United Kingdom.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. RITCHIE,) CroydonThe price of coal exported in the first half of 1900 is considerably higher than in the year 1899, but not so high as in 1873, the figures being 15.87s. in 1900, 10.71s. in 1899, and 20.90s. in 1873. It is not practicable to apportion the recent rise in price among the various causes which have contributed thereto. With regard to the last question, the Government, while alive to the considerations referred to by my hon. friend, are not prepared at present to make any proposals to Parliament in the direction indicated by my hon. and gallant friend.
SIR HOWARD VINCENTWill the right hon. Gentleman state to what countries the coal exported mainly goes?
§ MR. RITCHIEI shall be glad to inform my hon. and gallant friend if he will put down a question on the subject.