§ Sir J. Jarvisasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can explain the reasons why 77.5, 90.8 and 92.3, respectively, of our coal exports to Denmark, Norway and Sweden are carried in foreign ships; and if he will state the percentage of such coal exports which used to be carried in British ships five years ago?
§ Captain WallaceThe percentage figures quoted, which relate to the year 1936, can be attributed to a variety of causes, such as the practice of selling coal for export f.o.b. and the availability of ships suitable for trade between this country and those specified. I regret that no figures comparable to those mentioned in the question are available for years before 1936.