§ 65. Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the quantity of coal exported from the United Kingdom to Iceland in the period from 1st January to 15th March, 1920; whether during this period there were exported to Sweden 396,309 tons, to Norway 308,607 tons, to the Netherlands 119,891 tons, and to Austria and Hungary 49,768 tons; whether he has received information that Iceland is now so short of coal that not only are the fisheries, which is the main industry of the island, in serious jeopardy, but also the bakers of Reykjavik have insufficient stocks to ensure the bread supplies; and, if so, whether he can undertake to release 2,000 tons of coal for immediate export to Iceland?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe quantity of coal exported from the United Kingdom to Iceland in the period from 1st January to 15th March, 1920, was 215 tons; the figures for the other countries mentioned were given in the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend on the 29th March. I understand there is an acute shortage of coal in Iceland, but, subject to special priorities in favour of coaling stations and certain allied countries, there is now a free market in the exportable surplus of British coal. Distribution is governed by commercial conditions, and in those circumstances I regret that no special provision can be made for Iceland. It will be realised that the world shortage of coal is affecting all parts of Europe and not Iceland alone.
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONIs it not a fact that the Iceland Government is being prevented by the orders of the Coal Controller from buying Scotch coal and shipping it to Iceland?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe exportable surplus is not enough to go round, and 1251 Iceland is suffering like many other places.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYCannot they get coal from Spitzbergen?