§ 55. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the President of the Board of Trade what quantity of coal was imported into this country during the month of February, and the cost of the same; and the quantity of coal exported during the same period, with the cost?
§ Sir B. CHADWICK338,238 tons of coal were imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland during February, and the declared value c.i.f. was £925,038; 4,172,856 tons were exported during the same period, and the declared value f.o.b. was £3,982,682.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSAre we to understand that the importation of foreign coal is now decreasing, since British coal can be purchased at less than £1 per ton, while we are paying more than £3 a ton for imported coal?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKThe imports to which I refer are merely working-off contracts entered into during the stoppage.