§ 18. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Secretary for Mines the number of tons of foreign coal that has been imported into this country during the month of May; what was the selling price of the coal to the buyers; whether any of the coal has been tested with the view of finding out whether the foreign coal is as good as steam navigation coal for generating purposes; and if he will take action in the matter?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe quantity of foreign coal imported during the month of May, 1921, as shown in the Trade and Navigation Returns, was 450,162 tons; and the average declared value per ton c.i.f. was 68s. 2d. The selling price to the buyers cannot be stated; it would include apart from the c.i.f. value many items such as the expense of handling and transport, of which no return is made. I do not propose to take any action in 15 the matter of testing this coal, which comprises widely differing qualities. I presume that intending buyers have satisfied themselves as to its suitability for their respective requirements.
§ Mr. THORNECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Government have bought many thousand tons of foreign coal, chiefly German coal, and whether they have been selling it to private individuals; and, if so, can he state what amount of profit has been made?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe Government have been buying coal from various countries abroad, and selling it for public utilty purposes. I do not know of any cases where abnormal profits can be said to have been made.
Mr. J. JONESCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the price paid for this coal was higher than the price that would have provided a decent wage for the workers of this country in producing coal?
§ Mr. R. McLARENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, with the exception of Wales, very little navigation coal is produced and that the bulk of the coal produced in this country for steam raising is ordinary bituminous coal?
§ 22. Mr. GILBERTasked the Secretary for Mines what ports in the United Kingdom foreign coal is being imported into; whether importers are allowed to import what quantities they like; whether at every port such imported coal is being freely handled by all classes of labour concerned, or if there are any ports where coal is not handled; and, if so, will he give the names of such ports?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANForeign coal has been imported into a very large number of British ports, some 60 in all, including the Thames, Mersey, Clyde, Forth and Humber ports, Southampton, Bristol and Sharpness. A considerable quantity has also been brought into Ireland. There is no restriction on the quantity of foreign coal allowed to be imported by merchants. Foreign coal is now being freely handled by all classes of labour concerned at the ports to which it has been sent.