§ Mr. WHITELEYasked the Secretary for Mines, whether ha is aware of a shortage of coal in many of our large towns, particularly Birmingham, to the inconvenience of the consuming public; and whether he will have inquiries made, in view of the large amount of unemployment in the mining industry?
§ Colonel LANE-FOXI have made inquiries and I am informed that a shortage of household coal was threatened recently in Birmingham, but was averted by special efforts on the part of the merchants and railway companies. I am1228W not aware that any public inconvenience was caused in Birmingham or that there has been any difficulty elsewhere.