HC Deb 12 November 1928 vol 222 cc498-9
67. Mr. WELLOCK

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the nature of the inquiry that the economic organisation of the League of Nations has been instructed to make into the coal question; whether that inquiry is now proceeding; and, if so, with what progress.

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

The Economic Consultative Committee of the League of Nations at its session in May last recommended: That the Council invite the Economic Organisation to undertake a thorough study of all factors influencing the production and consumption of sugar and coal, and the international trade therein, with a view to submitting a report to the Council as soon as possible in order that the latter may be able to judge whether concerted action could further the solution of the problems under consideration, and emphasises the peculiarly adverse conditions prevailing in these two industries. At its session in June last, the Council accordingly referred these questions to the Economic Committee for examination. I understand that the Economic Committee have already collected a certain amount of information from different countries on the coal situation, and that a sub-committee of the Economic Committee (with the assistance of experts) will shortly consider all the available material.