Mr. GAVAN DUFFYasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that three blast furnaces 260W have been damped down in Millom this past week owing to the lack of coke, which is being exported in large quantities to France and Germany; and if this is continued it must bring about a total stoppage not only of the furnaces, but of the iron-ore mines and quarries in West Cumberland, and thus greatly increase the number of unemployed; and will he consider putting an Export Duty on coke so as to guarantee a supply for home consumption?
§ Lieut.-Colonel LANE-FOX:I am aware that blast furnaces at Millom were damped down during the week ended 24th February owing to inadequate supplies of coke, but I am informed that they have since been able to resume full operation. As regards the remainder of the hon. Member's question, I would refer him to the reply I gave on the 22nd February to a similar question from the hon. Member for Workington (Mr. Cape).