§ 17. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the President of the Board of Trade the total tonnage and value, f.o.b., of coal exported for the nine months ended 30th September, 1925, and similar figures for the nine months ended 30th September, 1928, and the average price per ton for each period?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe quantity of coal exported from the United Kingdom in the nine months ended 30th September, 1925, was 37,464,815 tons, and in the nine months ended 30th September, 1928, was 37,009,634 tons. The declared value (f.o.b.) of these exports in 1925 was £38,197,224, or an average of 20s. 4½d. per ton, and in 1928 £28,926,377, or an average of 15s. 7½d. per ton.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, although the exports have increased, their value this year is down by from £8,000,000 to £9,000,000, and does he think that is going to put the mining industry on its feet?
§ Mr. MARDY JONESIs not the figure of 15s. 7d., which is the average for the September quarter, within 10 per cent. of the pre-War price of coal; and how, then, can the right hon. Gentleman account for the fact that business is in so bad a way?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the original question.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIn view of the tremendous reduction in the price of coal for export, can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that any value accruing from the de-rating proposals will not be given to the foreigner?