§ *SIR LEES KNOWLESI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state the annual consumption by the Navy, and the cost, in each of the past ten years, of smokeless steam coal, distinguishing in each year the amount and the cost of the coal from Wales; and if he will state the amount of smokeless steam coal for naval purposes in the possession of the Government.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. PRETYMAN,) Suffolk, WoodbridgeThe details asked for in the first part of the Question are not immediately available. With regard to the second part of the Question, it is not considered desirable in the public interest to state the amount of steam coal for naval purposes in the possession of the Government, but care is taken that adequate reserves are maintained.
§ *MR. LEES KNOWLESIs the hon. Gentleman aware that at the time of a recent international scare the possible enemy of this country was buying every ton of output of Welsh smokeless steam coal, in order to prepare for war with Great Britain?