HC Deb 20 June 1927 vol 207 cc1483-4
54. Mr. W. THORNE

asked the Secretary for Mines what was the selling price of coal imported into France before the, embargo was imposed; and what was the cost of the coal at the pit-head?

Sir G. HENNESSY

My right hon. Friend regrets that statistics are not available which would enable him to answer this question.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Are we to understand that the Department of Mines has been wound up already or that it has not got this very elementary information that ought to be available?

Sir G. HENNESSY

The hon. and gallant Member is to understand nothing of the kind. My right hon. Friend, of course, has figures giving the average pithead prices of coal, but very many varieties of coal are concerned, at very many different prices.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Cannot we have them published? It is very important in view of the unemployment that has been caused.