§ 62. Sir Robert Rankinasked the Secretary for Mines which countries at the present time subsidise their coal exports, and what is the approximate annual 1022 cost to each of such action; and whether he proposes during the current year to enter into negotiations with these countries with a view to persuading them to abolish or reduce such subsidies?
§ The Secretary for Mines (Captain Crookshank)So far as I am aware, the countries which give financial assistance in one form or another to their coal exports are Belgium, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Poland, Turkey and the Union of South Africa; I have no information as to the cost of such assistance. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 15th June to the hon. Member for Pontypool (Mr. A. Jenkins) regarding an international marketing agreement.