§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONOn behalf of the hon. Member for Morpeth, I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state whether the terms of reference of the Royal Commission on the Coal Question empowers the Commissioners to inquire into the operation of the export duty on coal recently imposed, and, if there is any doubt upon that point, whether he will amend the reference with a view to remove the doubt.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir M. HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.I think that there is no doubt that the Commissioners are empowered by the terms of the reference to inquire into this matter.