§ MR. D. A. THOMASI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has yet decided upon the extent of the modification he will make in the coal duty in respect of contracts entered into prior to its imposition, the nature of the contracts to which the concession will apply, and its duration; and whether he will make known his decision in time to allow the electors of the Monmouth Boroughs an opportunity of forming a judgment upon the value of the concession before recording their votes at the forthcoming election.
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHThe contracts which have been sent in will be examined with the utmost despatch, but it will certainly be some days before I am in a position to make any definite announcement on the subject. I am not dealing with it with any view to the Monmouth Boroughs election.
§ MR. D. A. THOMASCan the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope of a decision before the election takes place?
§ [No answer was returned.]