§ MR. LLEWELLYN (Somersetshire, N.)I wish to ask the First Lord of the Treasury a Question of which I have given him private notice. It is whether there is any foundation for the rumour that a foreign syndicate has been formed for acquiring possession of the South Wales coalfield, and thus for securing control of those sources of coal supply which are a prime necessity for the maintenance of the British Navy, and, if the statement be correct, what action His Majesty's Government propose to take under the circumstances.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have heard a rumour tending in the direction of which my hon. friend has spoken. Whether that rumour has any solid foundation I am not at present in a position to say; but that we could not remain indifferent spectators of any transaction which handed over to a foreign syndicate or foreign Government the unique source of our naval mobility must be, I think, plain to the House, and so unexampled a proceeding would unquestionably require exceptional treatment.
§ MR. MARKHAM (Nottinghamshire, Mansfield)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that none of the collieries mentioned in connection with the proposed combine are supplying coal to the Navy?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am not so fully acquainted as the hon. Gentleman with what is going on. If he will convey any information he possesses to me I shall be grateful.