§ 17. Mr. HARDIEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give a return of the number of tons of coal that have been taken from mines in China and India and sent to markets formerly supplied with British coal during the last six months for which returns are available?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe answer is rather long, and includes a number of figures. The hon. Member will perhaps allow me to have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ The latest information available regarding exports from China is for the year 1923. The Straits Settlements and Hong Kong are the only markets of any importance which took British coal before the War to which Chinese coal was exported in 1923. The exports of coal from Chinese ports to the Straits Settlements and Hong Kong were, respectively, 112,000 tons and 200,000 tons in 1913, and 35,000 tons and 308,000 tons in 1923. The exports of coal from the United Kingdom to these markets were, respectively, 30,000 tons and 52,000 tons in 1913, and 20,000 tons and 17,000 tons in 1923. As regards Indian coal, the only export market of any importance to-day is Ceylon, to which 425,000 tons were 1274 exported in the year 1913, and 124,000 tons in the six months ending April, 1925. The exports of coal to Ceylon from the United Kingdom during these periods were 240,000 tons and 65,000 tons.