§ 23. Mr. REMERasked the Secretary for Mines how many tons of coal are at the present time lying idle in trucks waiting consignment instructions; and how many tons have been so lying for over one week?
§ Colonel LANE FOXI regret that definite information is not available, but I believe that the amount is comparatively small. It would be most laborious to obtain fuller particulars, and, by the time they were obtained, they would be useless, for the position obviously changes from day to day.
§ Mr. REMERIs my right hon. Friend aware that great dissatisfaction is felt among manufacturers that they cannot obtain coal to a very large amount, owing to the fact that his Department has not given instructions?
§ Colonel LANE FOXI think the position is not quite as my hon. Friend describes. I hope that in the course of the next few days it will materially change.
§ Mr. REMERWill my right hon. Friend consider relaxing the instructions as to the delivery of coal to manufacturing concerns, in order to relieve unemployment?
§ Colonel LANE FOXYes, Sir; I am hoping to make a statement on this subject to-morrow on a Private Notice question which I understand is going to be asked: