Capain BENNasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the permitted export of coal from Scotland in the month 2117W of December was only 200 tons; and whether, in view of the hardship inflicted on coal exporters and the increase in freights caused by the prohibition of exports, steps can be taken to increase the permitted amount or to abolish control?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe total quantity; of coal exported from Scotland under licence in December, 1918, was 31,480 tons. In January, as output increased, export under licence rose to 91,256 tons, and in February to 169,535 tons. These figures are exclusive of coke and patent fuel shipments, which amounted approximately to a further 23,000 tons during the three months in question. Export has only been restricted to the extent absolutely necessary in order to provide for essential inland requirements.