HC Deb 14 February 1939 vol 343 cc1533-4
24. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will inform the House of the terms of the Anglo-German coal export agreement arrived at by representatives of the British and German coal industries?

29. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can furnish details of the agreement recently concluded between Germany and British coalowners for the regulation of markets; and whether there is provision for an increase in British coal exports and any safeguards to prevent German coal entering markets outwith the scope of the agreement?

Mr. Cross

I cannot add anything to the statement which my right hon. Friend made in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Pontypool (Mr. A. Jenkins) on 31st January.

Mr. Bellenger

When will the hon. Gentleman or his right hon. and gallant Friend be in a position to give the House vital information about one of our biggest export industries?

Mr. Cross

If the hon. Member will study the reply given on 31st January, he will see that my right hon. and gallant Friend indicated that the alignment of points of view achieved by the coal industries of Germany and the United Kingdom was a preliminary to and should facilitate further negotiations for an international coal agreement between all the principal European coal producing countries. Pending the result of those negotiations nothing can be added to that reply.

Mr. Shinwell

Can the hon. Gentleman give information as to the precise details of the agreement between British and German coalowners, irrespective of the further negotiations that are likely to ensue?

Mr. Cross

This agreement, as I understand it, is clearly a provisional arrangement, and it will depend entirely on further negotiations whether the conditions obtaining in it can be implemented. I understand that my right hon. and gallant Friend is not prepared to give any further information.

Mr. Shinwell

Are we to understand that no part of the agreement will become operative at present?

Mr. Cross

Yes, that is so.

Mr. Jenkins

In the negotiations which are now proceeding will there be a decision on quantities and prices? If so, will the hon. Gentleman undertake to give particulars as to quantities and prices at the earliest possible date?

Mr. Cross

That is not the question on the Paper.