§ Mr. WADSWORTHasked the President of the Board of Trade, if he is aware that the approximate price of coal in the United Kingdom is given in the General Report and Statistics for 1907 (Mines and Quarries, Part III.) at 9s. 4.41d.; and can he or his Department testify to the complete accuracy of the price given in the Report?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Gladstone)I beg leave to answer this question on behalf of my right hon. Friend. The approximate average price at the mines of coal in the United Kingdom for the year 1907, as given in the General Report and Statistics, is 9s., not 9s. 4.41d. The latter is the price for Ireland. As will be seen from the heading to the column in the Report, the prices given are only approximate. The figures are based on information supplied voluntarily by owners to the inspectors of mines, and their absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed, though there is good reason to think they are substantially correct.
§ Mr. WADSWORTHWill the right hon. Gentleman inform the House as to whether the Board of Trade by Act of Parliament or otherwise has any authority to compel an owner, agent, or manager of a mine, or someone in charge of a mine to state 1413 upon oath if the various classes of coal raised, and the prices received by them—
§ Mr. SPEAKERI think hon. Members ought to give notice of some of these questions.