§ 104. Mr. HARDIEasked the Secretary for Mines whether he has been made aware of the statement made on behalf of the iron and steel trade in Sheffield and Rotherham that the works cannot take orders owing to the shortage of coke; and will he take steps to have a home supply secured?
§ Viscount WOLMERI have been asked to reply. My hon. Friend the Secretary for Mines has not seen the statement referred to, but his attention has been drawn by other bodies to the short supplies of coke. Every effort is being made by suppliers of coke to meet inland requirements, and it is hoped that supply will soon overtake the recent sharp increase in demand.
§ Mr. HARDIECan the Noble Lord tell the House now how much of the coke that ought to go into our furnaces has gone abroad, because of the higher prices?
§ Viscount WOLMERI am afraid I must ask for notice of that question.