§ 1. Sir JOHN FERGUSONasked the Secretary for Mines whether the order from the Swedish State railways for, approximately, 44,000 tons of coal was secured by Britain in December last; if not, what country secured the order; and what was the difference between the 1598 nearest British tender and the price at which the order was placed?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Shinwell)The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part I understand that the whole of the contract for 44,000 tons was secured for Polish coal, subject to the option of supplying 12,000 tons of British coal if the latter was available at stipulated prices. I have no information as to whether this option was in fact exercised or as to the prices at which British coal was tendered for this contract.
§ Sir J. FERGUSONIs it not now becoming clear that the question of our losing these contracts is one—
§ Mr. HANNONIs this the whole result of the hon. Gentleman's visit to Sweden?