HC Deb 06 July 1937 vol 326 cc157-8
17. Mr. G. Hall

asked the Secretary for Mines the amount of financial assistance per ton, in terms of sterling, by coal exporting countries in Europe on coal exported from those countries?

Captain Crookshank

As I informed the hon. Member on 24th November last, sufficient data is not available to enable me to give this information.

Mr. Hall

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman give us such data as he has; and is it not the case that there are some sources from which he can get data on this matter?

Captain Crookshank

I have already answered a number of questions about this matter, and such information as I have has been given to the House. I cannot give fuller information, because I have not got it.

Mr. Hall

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that private individuals can get this information, and surely what is available to private individuals should be available to a public Department?

Captain Crookshank

Sometimes private individuals are satisfied with information which is not quite as reliable as the information which I would feel justified in submitting to the House.