38. Miss WARDasked the Secretary for Mines whether he has any information as to the result of the Polish coal-owners' visit to this country?
§ 39. Mr. SOPERasked the Secretary for Mines whether he has any statement to make respecting the negotiations 1816 between the British and Polish coal-owners?
§ 40. Mr. MAGNAYasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is now in a position to make a statement concerning the negotiations with Poland regarding export coal?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Ernest Brown)I am very pleased to be able to inform the House that, as a result of the discussions which have been proceeding in London, agreement has been reached between representatives of the Polish and United Kingdom coal industries, and will be submitted to the constituent bodies in both countries for confirmation.
§ Mr. MAGNAYWill my hon. Friend be good enough to tell the House what were the subject matters which came within the ambit of the negotiations?
§ Mr. BROWNI am not in a position at this stage to say anything further as to the scope of the agreement, except that, in my view, an agreement of this kind will mark one of the biggest steps that has been taken for a long time for the betterment of the coal trade of both countries, and I would also express the hope that the establishment of such an agreement will pave the way for other agreements with other countries. As to the subjects, they were markets and prices.
§ Mr. MARTINWhen can the hon. Gentleman give the House any information about it?