§ 16. Major-General Sir Alfred Knoxasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what were the exports of coal in the month of December; and to what destinations.
Major Lloyd GeorgeMy hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that it would not be in the public interest to give this information, but I can assure him that we are not exporting any more coal than is necessary for the prosecution of the war.
§ Sir A. KnoxIs it necessary to export any coal to neutral nations, in view of the difficulty of getting sufficient coal for consumers in this country?
Major Lloyd GeorgeIt depends for what purpose. We get a lot of benefit in other commodities from neutral nations, and it may be necessary to see that they do not suffer.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs it not important to know to what extent we are exporting coal to certain countries, like Spain and Portugal, which are in fact assisting the enemy with material which would be of great value to us?