§ 39. Mr. FELLasked the President of the Board of Trade if he has official information to the effect that the coal under a tract of 4,000 acres in the Kentish coalfield has just been acquired by a French firm of ironmasters, and that two groups of Belgian capitalists are also negotiating for large areas of coal-land in Kent; and, if so, can he state the total acreage which is now controlled by foreign companies or firms?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply to this question. The Home Office has no official information on the subject, but in accordance with the promise I gave to the hon. Member when replying to his previous question of the 12th of March, I made some inquiries, which went to show that foreign companies or syndicates had acquired leases of about 16,000 acres of the Kentish coal-field, and negotiations for the lease of 2,000 more were in progress.
§ Mr. FELLDoes that 16,000 acres include the 4,000 acres which has just been taken by a French firm?
§ Mr. McKENNAI could not say. I have given the hon. Member all the information I have on the subject.
§ Earl WINTERTONIs it not the fact that part of this acreage is quite adjacent to Dover and on the coast from Dover to Deal, and has he taken into consideration the possible danger in time of war from having a large tract of coal land so near important defensive stations owned in that way?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have no power in the matter, but perhaps the Noble Lord would make representations to the owner of the coal to refrain from selling.
§ Earl WINTERTONHas the right hon. Gentleman not the power under the 199 Official Secrets Act to prohibit coal being worked within a certain distance of a dock?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have no powers of that kind.