HC Deb 07 May 1906 vol 156 c981
Mr. LONSDALE

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is able to state the quantity of coal produced in Great Britain which is purchased annually by the German Government for naval purposes; and whether he has made any calculation of the saving to the German Government that will result from the remission of the export duty on coal.

MR. LLOYD-GEOEGE

The information desired is not in the possession of the Board of Trade, and the data are not available for the suggested calculation. I am not prepared to admit the implication in the Question as to the incidence of the export duty on coal.

MR. LONSDALE

Is it not possible to say what quantity of coal is purchased in this country by the German Navy?

MR. LLOYD-GEOEGE

That is not the Question on the Paper. I can give the hon. Member the quantity of coal exported by this country to Germany, but I cannot from the data in our possession show the quantity intended for naval purposes.

MR. ARNOLD-FORSTEE (Croydon)

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give the amount of Welsh steam coal, which is the same thing?

MR. LLOYD-GEOEGE

That is quite a different matter. If the right hon. Gentleman wants that information I will try and get it.