EXPORTS.

HC Deb 16 February 1932 vol 261 cc1433-5

5. Mr. T. WILLIAMS

asked the Secretary for Mines the annual average exports of coal from this country to France, Germany, and the Netherlands for the years 1910 to 1913, inclusive, for the years 1927 to 1930, inclusive, and the quantities permitted for 1932 under the restrictions and licences recently fixed in France and Germany?

Period.	Quantity of Coal (including coke and briquettes in terms of coal) exported from the United Kingdom to
	France.	Germany.	Netherlands.
Annual Average:	Statute tons.	Statute tons.	Statute tons.
1910–1913	…	…	10,886,599	8,853,198	2,141,886
1927–1930	…	…	11,275,333	5,042,203	2,706,750

On the basis of the French method of calculation, it is estimated that the quota for coal imports (including coke and briquettes in terms of coal) from the United Kingdom into France will be at the rate of approximately 7.5 million

Mr. ISAAC FOOT

As the reply involves a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Will the hon. Member indicate whether there will be a decrease in our exports compared with 1930 and 1931?

Mr. FOOT

Yes, I think the figures for the latest month and for the present year will undoubtedly show a marked decrease as compared with the earlier years referred to in the hon. Member's question.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Will the hon. Gentleman bring those figures to the notice of the Lord President of the Council, the Prime Minister, and the President of the Board of Trade?

Mr. FOOT

They will be kept well acquainted with all that is happening in my Department.

Mr. BATEY

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether he is taking steps to try to influence France and Germany to remove their restrictions?

Mr. FOOT

Steps are being taken every day. Representatives of the industry were in France on this question last week, and I am to meet them some time this week as to the result of that consultation.

Mr. BATEY

Will the hon. Gentleman tell us what steps his Department is taking?

Following is the reply:

statute tons per annum as from 1st February, 1932. This figure purports to represent 64 per cent. of the average imports for the three years 1928, 1929 and 1930, but a further quantity up to 6 per cent. may be permitted if there is a demand for the coal. I may add that the method of allowing for exempted classes of coal in calculating this quota has recently been under discussion between the French Mines Department and representatives of the British coal trade, and that I am expecting to receive representations from the latter on the subject at an early date.

The quota for coal and coke imports from the United Kingdom into Germany was reduced as from 1st February, 1932. Full particulars of the revised quota are not yet available.