§ Mr. PERRINGasked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that the executive committee of the London Coal Exporters' Association strongly disapprove of the action of his Department in appointing four firms sole agents for the Government to import coals during the present crisis in the coal industry, thereby creating a monopoly; and will he state the principle upon which these four firms were selected and take steps in the immediate future to throw the import market open to free competition?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI have received a communication regarding this matter from the London Coal Exporters' Association. When the Government decided that it was necessary to arrange for the72W importation of coal into this country in order to provide for services essential to the life of the community, the method to be followed was very carefully considered, and it was found essential to keep the Government business in the fewest possible hands. No monopoly has been created, since it has always been open to any merchant to import privately, and in fact, very considerable quantities of coal have been so imported.