§ 61. Sir J. D. REESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has information to the effect that gas companies in London are importing coal from Germany; and, if so, whether this new departure is due to the increased cost of production in this country?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Robertson)I am informed that considerable quantities of German gas coal have been purchased for the manufacture of gas in London. This is, no doubt, due to considerations of price, but I am unable to discriminate between the causes which may at the moment have rendered the German more favourable than the English market as a source of supply for London gas works.