§ Mr. HIGHAMasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the principles which guided the Coal Controller in fixing the minimum price of coal for neutral countries; whether this price is higher than the prices ruling for shipment to Allied countries; whether, in determining this price, he has given consideration to the cases of British firms-who have factories in neutral countries and are compelled to buy coal at enhanced prices; and whether steps can be taken to enable firms of British origin in neutral countries to buy coal at the same price: as that allowed to Allied nations?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe minimum prices of coal for neutral countries represented approximately the market prices prevailing at the time when the minima were fixed. As a measure of war-time emergency fixed and lower prices have been charged for coal supplied to certain of the Allied countries. This arrangement is now being terminated, and the result will be that market prices will prevail for all exports whatever the destination.