asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the quantities of coal, imported from (a) Great Britain, and (b) America, in the year 1946, and in each month from January to May, 1947, which have been allocated to: (i) industries; (ii) institutions, colleges and schools; and (iii) domestic consumption; and also, in regard to industries, the quantities of such coal allocated to each industry.

The quantities of coal imported from (a) Great Britain, and (b) America, in the year 1946 and in each month from January to May, 1947, were as follows:—

With the exception of the nine tons of coal received from America prior to March, 1947, in the form of gifts to individuals, no imported coal was allowed for general domestic consumption.

Particulars of the quantities authorised by permits for distribution up to 31st March, 1947, amongst the different industrial categories are given in the table hereunder. The corresponding figures for April and May are not yet tabulated.

TABLE

Miscellaneous direct imports and permits issued to purchase merchants' coal.