§ 2. Mr. James Griffithsasked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give reasons for the fall in the exports of coal to Spain from 650,110 tons in the first five months of 1935 to 320,697 tons in the same period of this year; whether he can state the tonnage of German coal exported to Spain in the same period; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with the matter?
§ The Secretary for Mines (Captain Crookshank)In answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question, I can only usefully point to the present abnormal situation in Spain. The reply to the second part is 12,525 metric tons in 1935 and 154,145 metric tons in 1937; and, to the third part, that all practicable steps are being taken to maintain our export trade to Spain.
§ Mr. GriffithsDoes not the increase in the quantity of German coal exported to Spain from 12,000 tons to 150,000 tons in one year indicate clearly that we are likely 10 lose another important market for British coal?
§ 4. Mr. Griffithsasked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give reasons for the fall in our exports of coal to Canada from 443,513 tons in the first five months of 1936 to 249,802 tons in the same period of this year; whether he can state the tonnage of exports of coal to Canada from Germany, Indo-China, and Russia in the same period; and what action he proposes to take to protect British exports to the Dominion?
§ Captain CrookshankI am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing the latest information available regarding exports of coal to Canada from Germany, Indo-China and Russia, but figures relating to the period since the opening of the St. Lawrence in the middle of April are not yet available. With regard to the first and third parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 22nd June to the hon. Member for Pontypool Mr. Jenkins).
§ Mr. GriffithsIn view of the fact that our exports to this market continue to decline year by year, what steps, if any, is the hon. and gallant Gentleman taking to try to protect this very important market?
§ Captain CrookshankI think the answer to the hon. Gentleman's question is that it is really impossible to draw inferences so early in the year.
§ Mr. GriffithsIn view of the fact that our exports to this market have been continually declining for the last two or three years, and that the present figures show a decline greater than in any previous year, is the hon. and gallant Gentleman taking any steps? Is he in consultation with anyone? The matter is of very serious importance to a large number of people in my constituency.
§ Captain CrookshankI am aware of all the difficulties, but it is now so early in the shipping season, which has a great influence on these figures, that one cannot form any real judgment.
Following is the statement:Exports of Coal to Canada from:—
January-April, 1936. January-April, 1937. Metric Tons. (a) Germany 24,505 40,242 (b) Russia Nil 12,870 January-February, 1936. January-February, 1937. (c) French Indo-China Nil Nil