I beg to ask the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty entered into contracts last November for the supply of coals over 1901 at prices ranging from 19s. to 21s. per ton; and, if so, how many tons were contracted for.

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The quantity contracted for was about 400.000 tons.

How is it that the hon. Gentleman the other night told me the Admiralty never made contracts

We were discussing the excess quantities required, and not the minimum.