§ 40. Sir FORTESCUE FLANNERYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the circular headed Supply of Coal to France, dated 25th May, 1916, has been issued with the authority of his Department; whether Clause 8 of that circular provides that coal exporters and coalowners in each district of the United Kingdom shall appoint committees; whether the coal exporters of the Port of London have appointed a committee; whether that committee has been refused by the Central Executive Committee the right of representation upon its membership, and whether the Board of Trade will take steps to ensure such representation, in view of the large tonnage of coal exports controlled by London firms trading with France?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. Harcourt)The circular referred to was printed and issued by the 1367 Board of Trade, and Clause 8 provides for the appointment of local committees. I understand that a London Committee has been appointed, but that it is not represented on the Central Committee. Neither the local committees nor the Central Committee are in any way appointed by the Board of Trade, and I fear, therefore, that the Department cannot well intervene in the matter.
§ Sir F. FLANNERYWill the right hon. Gentleman use the influence of his Department to enable this appointment to be made?
§ Mr. HARCOURTI will see what can be done.