§ 69. Major Earl WINTERTONasked the President of the Board of Trade for what reason the Coal Control Department has informed the Worthing Gas Company that as from 1st August all coal supplied to the company must be sea-borne and not rail-borne, in view of the fact that the average cost of sea-borne coal to the South of England is 4s. to 5s. a ton over the cost of rail-borne coal?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI would refer my Noble Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave yesterday to a similar question put by the hon. and gallant Member for Tonbridge.
§ Sir j. RANDLESIn this question as to whether sea-borne or rail-borne coal is most convenient, may 1 ask the hon. Gentleman whether the President of the Board of Trade will give a proper and clear official indication as to how far the Board intends to enforce these Regulations? Was not the President yesterday under stood to say that the Regulation would not be enforced? Will the right hon. Gentle man make it clear, because very great in convenience and uncertainty has been caused in ports like Manchester, where it is doubtful as to whether they will be able to bunker ships, and owing to the indefiniteness with which the question is being treated?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI will represent what my hon. Friend says to the President of the Board of Trade.