§ 103. Mr. ROBINSONasked the Secretary for Mines if he is satisfied that the expected advantages to the British coal trade resulting from the Anglo-Norwegian trade treaty have been realized?
§ Mr. E. BROWNThe obligation in the agreement is to take from this country a specified proportion of the coal imports into Norway during each 12-monthly period, and I have no reason to believe that the provisions of the agreement will not be satisfactorily carried out.
§ Mr. ROBINSONIs my hon. Friend aware that during each of the last three months the imports of British coal into Norway were only 35 per cent, of the total instead of 70 per cent., and does he think that that situation will be remedied?
§ Mr. BROWNMy hon. Friend will remember that it was anticipated, when the agreement was being negotiated, that owing to the running of existing contracts and other possible causes the Norwegians might experience some difficulty in reaching the agreed percentage during the first few months. I have no reason to believe that over the full period the agreement will not be carried out.
§ Mr. T. SMITHIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the extra quantity that will be exported?
§ 104. Mr. LAWSONasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is taking any steps in respect to the recent limitation of licences for coal imports to Belgium from this country?
§ Mr. E. BROWNThere has been no further limitation of licences for coal imports into Belgium since I replied to a question on this subject by my hon. Friend on 20th July last.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs anything being done about the exports to Belgium as the trade is disappearing?
§ Mr. BROWNMy hon. Friend knows that our complaint was against the basis 1118 of the quota. We are losing no opportunity of making representations on the matter.