HC Deb 25 February 1930 vol 235 cc2019-21
7. Lieut.-Colonel JAMES

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has received the Report upon colonisation and employment opportunities in British Columbia which, as a result of his visit to Canada, he was to receive from the Premier of British Columbia; and whether he proposes to publish this Report now or when received?

Mr. THOMAS

I have not yet received the full Report from the Premier of British Columbia.

Lieut.-Colonel JAMES

May I have an answer to the last part of the question, as to whether the right hon. Gentleman proposes to publish the Report?

Mr. THOMAS

I have not seen the Report, and, obviously, I could not talk about publishing something until I have seen it.

Sir ARTHUR STEEL-MAITLAND

Has the Lord Privy Seal any information as to the placing of the contract for five ships for the Canadian trade?

Mr. THOMAS

I informed the House, when I was last questioned, that I had received a letter from the builder, who informed me that they had reached the stage of completing a final contract. The right hon. Gentleman will be pleased to know that since that—in fact, this morning—I have received the first definite information of an order for 40,000 tons of coal to be shipped immediately from this country when the St. Lawrence is open. That is soft coal, in addition to the hard coal.

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

Would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to reply to my question, which was as to whether the contract for these ships had been placed?

Mr. THOMAS

I have informed the right hon. Gentleman precisely as to the position, and I have nothing to add. The right hon. Gentleman, I think, was not in the House when I made my first intimation. I then informed the House that it was dependent upon definite contracts being obtained. This is the first time, although it has taken months to complete the negotiations, that I am in a position to say definitely that 40,000 tons, as a start, have been ordered.

Mr. BATEY

Could the right hon. Gentleman tell us from which district the 40,000 tons of coal are to be taken?

Mr. SPEAKER

Mr. Somerville.

Mr. BATEY

On a point of Order. I have asked a simple supplementary question, cannot I have an answer?

Mr. THOMAS

I hope to be in a position to tell the House definitely from what part of the country the coal will come, but I am not in a position to say definitely at this moment.