HC Deb 04 March 1936 vol 309 c1388
75 and 76. Mr. DENVILLE

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware that, in the port of Barcelona, the principal port of Catalonia, the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture has tightened its restrictions on the import of British coal by increasng the quota of consumpton of Spanish coal by a further 6 per cent., making the quota national coal 66 per cent. and imported coal 34 per cent.; and what steps does he contemplate to improve exports of British coal to Spain;

(2) whether he is aware that the Barcelona importer is now fined 20 pesetas instead of 10 pesetas if he fails to import his 45 per cent. quota of Spanish coal and that this practically amounts to prohibition of the import of United Kingdom coal; and whether he will endeavour to negotiate better terms with the Spanish Government?

Captain EUAN WALLACE (Secretary, Department of Overseas Trade)

I under-stand that measures of the kind indicated have been put in force. His Majesty's Ambassador has been instructed to take the matter up with the Spanish Government.