§ 17. Mr. GEORGE HALLasked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the recent import of Polish coal into Gibraltar and the increasing import of coal from that country into Italy; and, as this has a serious effect upon the export of coal from South Wales, will he state what action, if any, the Government is taking to deal with this matter?
§ Mr. E. BROWNThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to Gibraltar, I am advised that the Polish coal referred to is for use as bunkers. I would remind the hon. Member that it is not unusual for foreign bunker coal to be sold by British firms at bunkering depots abroad in cases where a refusal to deal in foreign coal would result in a diversion of shipping to other ports. With regard to Italy, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 14th December by my hon. Friend the Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Newport (Mr. Clarry).