§ 30. Major KELLEYasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the statement in the Press that four firms are deputed by the Government to buy Belgian coal for the nation; and whether, if this is so, he will say to whom does the profit go?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Bridgeman)I have been asked to reply. The four firms who have been employed to conduct the commercial operations entailed in the importation of coal from Belgium and elsewhere on Government account are acting as the agents of the Government, and any profit or loss on these operations accrues to or is borne by the Government.