§ Mr. G. HALLasked the Under-Secretary of State for India the source of supply of the coal for Indian railways; whether this coal is purchased in the open market; and whether he is aware of the distress in the Indian coal trade at present?
§ Earl WINTERTONMore than 99 per cent. of the coal used by the Indian railways is Indian coal. Some of the railways own their own collieries; otherwise they all purchase their coal in the open market. My Noble Friend has not received any reports of distress in the Indian coal trade.