HC Deb 06 April 1927 vol 204 cc2073-4
92. Mr. WESTWOOD

asked the Secretary for Mines what was the amount of coal exported in the months of January and February, 1926, with the estimated value for these respective months, with similar figures for 1927?

The SECRETARY for MINES (Colonel Lane Fox)

The quantity of coal exported during January, 1926, was 4,148,042 tons, and the total declared value, f.o.b., was £3,821.336. The corresponding figures for February, 1926, were 4,340,006 tons and £4,025,627; for January, 1927, 4,092,879 tons and £4,290,806; and for February, 1927, 4,172,856 tons and £3,982,682.

Mr. H. WILLIAMS

Is it not the case that the whole of the information contained in the reply is published in the Trade and Navigation Returns, and when hon. Members bring such questions to the Table is it in order to ask them whether or not the information has been published?

Mr. THURTLE

I take it there is no vacancy at the Table for an additional clerk.

Mr. WILLIAMS

On a point of Order. Questions I have handed in myself requesting information, which has already been published in the document referred to, have been refused. I am raising the question to ask why such questions are permitted under the circumstances.

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member rightly suggests what is the general rule, but it is not always possible for the clerk to know every document that has been published.