§ 62. Mr. A. M. SAMUELasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what steps he took recently to help to secure the order for 200,000 tons of steam coal required by the Swedish State railways; and whether he endeavoured to surmount the price obstacle of Northumberland, Durham and Yorkshire coal being too dear as compared with Polish quotations by suggesting that the British firms concerned should take in part-payment such Swedish pit-props, timber, wood-pulp, and foodstuffs as are usually imported by us from Sweden?
§ Mr. GILLETT (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)My Department was not consulted with regard to this order, which was for 186,000 tons. The primary cause for this order being awarded to Polish groups was the fact that Poland had concluded forward contracts with Swedish importers in the autumn of last year at an average price of about 14s. 6d. per ton f.o.b. Danzig.
§ Mr. SAMUELAm I to understand that the Department of Overseas Trade did 953 not take any steps, in consultation with the mineowners or otherwise, to see how this very valuable order could be secured, in view of the known fact that our prices were higher than the probable Polish quotations?
§ Mr. GILLETTThe hon. Member must be well aware that all the contracts that are being considered by British manufacturers all over the world cannot possibly be known to my Department.
§ Mr. SAMUELBut is that so; do not the Department get information of this kind from its commercial counsellors abroad?
§ Mr. GILLETTNo, we did not get any information on this matter.
§ Mr. SAMUELWill the hon. Gentleman look into the matter of obtaining early information about foreign orders that are going?—[Interruption.]