§ 5. Mr. GEORGE HALLasked the Secretary for Mines the approximate loss to the coal export trade from South Wales to Italy as the result of the imposing of sanctions against that country and the number of miners thrown out of employment by the loss of that trade?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKAs the hon. Member is aware, coal exports to Italy had already very seriously declined during the late summer of 1935 owing to the difficulty of obtaining payment, and I am afraid it is not possible to form any estimate of the extent to which that decline was accelerated by the imposition of sanctions or of the consequential effect on employment.
§ Mr. HALLCan the Minister inform the House what was the basis of the figures given by the President of the Board of Trade at a function last week, and may I ask what his Department is doing to endeavour to get the Italian and the Mediterranean coal trade restored to its former position?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKAs regards the second part of the question, every effort is being made in that direction as opportunity arises. As regards the first part, I cannot say exactly the basis which my right hon. Friend used, but the figure which he quoted is more or less the figure of increased unemployment in South Wales from the date when there began to be a drop in the export trade, due to world depression.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSCan the Minister give us any idea from the knowledge at his disposal whether Italy can afford to buy any coal, whether they get it from South Wales or anywhere else?
§ Sir JOSEPH LAMBWill not the continuation of sanctions increase any inability to buy coal?
§ Mr. J. GRIFFITHSHas the Minister any information as to the amount of money still owing by Italy for coal to South Wales owners?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKI could not give that information without notice. I might give a wrong figure.
§ Mr. H. G. WILLIAMSHas Germany any particular difficulty in selling coal to Italy?
§ Mr. STEPHENIs it proposed to give compensation to the miners for loss of employment?