§ 56. Mr. LAWSONasked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the complaints made to him by certain coal-owners about the restriction of coal exports from this country to Belgium that these are drastically reducing our exports to Belgium, he will state what steps he proposes to take about this matter?
§ Mr. E. BROWNAs has been explained on previous occasions, a quota system for imports of coal and briquettes into Belgium from all countries was introduced in October, 1931, on the basis of a uniform percentage of imports in 1930. This basis was altered, in February, 1932, to the first six months of 1931, with the result that imports from the United Kingdom were reduced, both absolutely and relatively, to a greater extent than imports from other countries. Accordingly, diplomatic representations against the change in the basis of the quota were addressed to the Belgian Government in March, 1932, and again in September, 1932.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs the hon. Member aware that our exports to Belgium have been reduced in the last three years by 4,000,000 tons and look like being still further reduced? Is he also aware that there is an opinion that there is a deliberate reduction of our quota as far as Belgium is concerned with a view to making some trade agreement in the future?
§ Mr. BROWNI cannot discuss a matter of opinion, but my hon. Friend will understand that representations have twice been made on this point.
§ Captain Sir WILLIAM BRASSHas any satisfactory reply been received by the Government from the Belgian Government?
§ Mr. LAWSONThe hon. Member has said that the last representations were 1977 made in September of last year. Is he not aware that the process of reduction has been going on with increasing force during the whole of the past year?
§ Mr. BROWNI am aware of that, but at the moment I do not think that any useful purpose will be served by further representations being made to the Belgian Government. The matter has not been lost sight of, and any suitable opportunity will be taken for raising it again.