asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make any statement as to the reduction effected in the Estimates of the Government of Gibraltar; how far these reductions will relieve the load of taxation; and whether it is proposed to abolish the export tax upon coal?

The Estimates of Gibraltar for the current year show a reduction of nearly £100,000 in expenditure as compared with the previous year. Further economies are contemplated, and I have found it possible to approve the abolition of the export tax on coal.