HC Deb 22 November 1920 vol 135 c68W
Mr. PENNEFATHER

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity of coal imported by Switzerland from America since 30th June, and to what extent, if any, the Swiss importation of coal from America has reduced the exportation of British coal?

Sir R. HORNE

The official returns of imports issued by the Swiss Customs Administration are only made up for quarterly periods, the last issued being that for the three months ended September, 1920. In that period the quantities of coal, coke, and briquettes recorded as imported from the United States of America and the United Kingdom, respectively, were as follows:—

Imported from the United States. Imported from the United Kingdom.
Metric Tons. Metric Tons.
Coal 471,000 90,900
Coke 9,000 12,800
Briquettes 6,600 109,900

As regards the second part of the question, these official returns for the third quarter of the year show an increase in the importation into Switzerland of coal, coke, and briquettes from the United Kingdom as compared with those for the first or the second quarters.