Major BARNESasked the Secretary for Mines whether in any coal shipping centres offices have been set up and staffs appointed by the Mines Department of the Board of Trade; if so, what is the number of men employed, and what is estimated to be the yearly cost of these offices; what is the number of employés in the Export Section of the Mines Department, Windsor Hotel, and what is the yearly cost of this Section: what is the weekly number of coal and coke licences now granted: and whether the Export Section could now be closed?
950W
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANOffices exist at Cardiff, Glasgow, Newcastle, Hull, and Liverpool. The total staff employed in these offices numbers 91, and the estimated annual cost is £23,870. There are four employés in the Export Section of the Headquarters Staff of the Mines Department' and the estimated yearly cost of this Section is £1,600. I am not able to give the weekly number of licences granted, as this involves inquiry of the local offices, but I will have the information obtained and sent to the hon. and gallant Member. I am afraid that it is not yet possible to remove the restrictions on export, and, so long as they exist, it is necessary to have a staff to enforce them.