HC Deb 01 March 1920 vol 126 cc57-8W
Major HENDERSON

asked the President of the Board of Trade why some shipping companies in Glasgow are not allowed to purchase coal there but are compelled to take coal at Liverpool at £7 a ton?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

The shortage of inland supplies in Scotland is such that, following on the restriction of export of coal from that country, it has been necessary to restrict the supply of bunkers there. In these circumstances certain vessels can be supplied only with sufficient coal to take them to the Mersey, which is the nearest bunkering station.