§ Mr. J. Griffithsasked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the serious effect of the recent fluctuations in the value of the French currency upon the export of coal from South Wales to France; whether he is 595W aware that, in consequence of these fluctuations, a number of anthracite coal mines in South Wales have been rendered idle for several weeks; and what steps he is taking to deal with the matter?
§ Captain CrookshankI understand that recent fluctuations in the value of the French currency have caused some disturbance in the regular shipment to France of contracted quantities of anthracite, and that this has interfered with the working of some collieries. Such difficulties inevitably accompany currency fluctuations and are a matter between the buyer and seller in which I have no power to intervene.