§ MR. D. A. THOMAS (Merthyr Tydvil)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can say to what extent the quantity of coal declared for export as of a value of 5s. and not exceeding 6s. per ton fell short of the quantities from 4s. to 5s., and from 6s. to 7s. during the financial year ending 31st March last; and if he has any official information explaining the cause of the smaller quantity shipped at the first-named price.
§ MR. RITCHIEThe quantity of coal exported during the year ending March 31st last at a declared value not exceeding 5s. the ton, was 737,812 tons; exceeding 5s. but not exceeding 6s. the ton, 3,004,573 tons; and exceeding 6s. but not exceeding 7s. the ton, 883,665 tons. The quantity shipped at values between 4s. and 5s. the ton comprises nearly all that stated above to be not exceeding 5s., but the exact figures are not readily available. It will be seen that the tendency of the figures is in the direction opposite to that suggested by the hon. Member.