§ 64. Mr. HOUSTONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that of the 520 steamers which loaded about 924,500 tons of coal at Cardiff for French ports during the three months 2086 ending 31st January, 81 were British, 191 French, 179 Norwegian, 6 Russian, 2 Japanese, and the rest neutrals, and that therefore only about 14½ per cent, were British ships; and if he will state whether 14½ per cent. of British vessels could control the rates of freight paid to all the other steamers?
Mr. RUNCIMANI am obtaining exact figures as to the nationality of the ships employed in the French coal trade. A very large portion of the coal shipped to France is carried in neutral and Allied vessels, and this fact must, of course, be borne in mind in considering the question of the rates of freight charged.
§ Mr. HOUSTONWhen will the right hon. Gentleman be in possession of that information?
Mr. RUNCIMANWe are proceeding with the inquiry as rapidly as possible—I hope in the course of the next few days.
§ 65. Mr. HOUSTONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the number of ships which loaded coal at Bristol Channel ports for Italy during the month of February last, and the number of ships which were British, Italian, and neutral-owned, respectively?
Mr. RUNCIMANI am obtaining the figures for which my hon. Friend asks, and will send them to him as soon as possible.