§ 15. Mr. HOLMESasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state how many tons of coal were sold for export and bunkers during the months of August and September; and what was the average profit per ton?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThe tonnage of coal exported in August, 1919, was 2,170,813 tons valued at £5,337,508 f. o. b. and in September, 2,677,189 tons valued at £7,732,919 f. o. b. As regards coal for bunkers (Foreign and Coastwise), 1,256,227 tons were sold during August, 1919, and 1,232,550 tons during September, but the values are not stated. I regret that there is no available information as to the profits on export or bunker coal during the months of August and September.
§ Mr. HOLMESDoes not the right hon. Gentleman say that he is considering whether the price of coal can be altered and if that is so, how can he do so without knowing the profit on exported coal and bunker coal, which is a material part of the profits?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThe need for continuing the, consideration, and the impossibility of arriving at an immediate decision is that we have to get this information. I have stated in my reply that it is not immediately available and that we are now getting it.
§ Mr. HOLMESin view of the importance of this subject I beg to give notice that I will call attention to it on the Adjournment of the House to-night.
§ Sir F. LOWECan the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion of anthracite coal is being exported and is he aware that the Government advised people to get anthracite stoves, and is it not desirable that some restraint should be put en the export of anthracite coal and to see that the people who have anthracite stoves receive a supply of anthracite coal?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI shall certainly look into the point about anthracite coal to see whether the facts are as suggested.