§ MR. MARKHAM (Nottinghamshire Mansfield)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that a South African financier is shortly floating a company to work the Whitworth Coal Estate in South Wales; whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to acquire an interest in this company; and whether he has received any reports from His Majesty's inspectors of mines relating to the value of this coal for naval purposes.
§ MR. PRETYMANThe Admiralty have no information as to the alleged operations of the South African financier, and have no intention of acquiring any interest in the property. The Admiralty have taken care to inform themselves as to the probable character of the coal underlying the Whitworth Estate, but I am not at liberty to state the source 345 from which this information has been derived.
§ MR. MARKHAMIs it not the fact that three years ago this property was offered to the Government and declined on the report received from His Majesty's inspectors of mines that it was valueless, and, with a view to the protection of the investing public, will the hon. Gentleman publish this report?
§ MR. PRETYMANI should not like to say anything either to appreciate or depreciate the value of the property. The Admiralty have to deal with the matter from the purely national standpoint.