§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the quantity of Welsh coal for naval purposes, for which tonnage has been chartered, is less for January, February, and March, 1911, than that for the corresponding months in 1910; whether the naval manœuvres of 1909 were temporarily suspended owing to a coal strike; and whether he can assure the House that the Admiralty is satisfied that, in the event of an emergency arising that would call for an instant replenishment of the naval depots, the requisite quantity would be obtainable without delay, bearing in mind the disturbed state of the 2568W Rhondda Valley, where an extension of the existing labour troubles may occur at any time?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe aggregate drawings of all descriptions of steam vessel Welsh coal in 1911 for the period given are about 4 per cent. less than in 1910, and this was due to the fact that a considerable stock of coal was laid down at a new depot in 1910. But for this, the drawings in 1911 would have been 4 per cent. greater than in 1910. The reply to the second part of the question is in the negative, and to the third part in the affirmative.