(By Private Notice)asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will make a statement on the negotiations in progress in Washington for the purchase of American coal for bunkering purposes; what results have been achieved, and what will be the cost?

No such negotiations in Washington are in progress, but it is hoped that arrangements can be made, as a temporary measure, to revert to the system of double bunkering on the other side by the shipping companies.

When the Minister says that no negotiations are in progress in Washington, I take it that he means that there are no negotiations going on anywhere at all in the United States?

So far as we are aware, there are no negotiations in the United States.