§ Mr. SWANasked the President of the Board of Trade what improvement, if any, has taken place at Tyne Dock in the shipment since the delegates met the Coal Controller; and what are the prospects of getting back to the normal position?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANSince the discussion with the Coal Controller, the question of the diversion of shipment coal from Tyne Dock has been taken in hand locally. As a result there has been a very considerable increase in Tyne Dock shipments. The position of Tyne Dock as compared with other shippping places in the district may now be considered as practically normal. That the quantity of coal available for shipment generally should still be below normal is, I fear, inevitable until production so improves as to afford a more ample surplus over home requirements.