HC Deb 15 July 1941 vol 373 cc448-9
43. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Secretary for Mines the total amount of coal and coke exported from this country in the first six months of the present year?

Mr. Grenfell

It would not be in the public interest to provide the figures required, but I will send them to the hon. Member for his own information confidentially.

Mr. Shinwell

If it is not in the public interest to inform the House and the country what volume of coal and coke has been exported to other countries, is it not in the public interest to assure us, in view of the shortage of coal and the prospects of severe privations due to the shortage, that we should be certain that no coal is being exported? When the Minister states that he will send the documents to me, will he also give particulars of the amount of coal exported to Spain?

Mr. Grenfell

Yes, Sir, if that is the information the hon. Member especially requires. He can rest assured that we are paying attention to the need for conserving coal for home requirements. I would not be wrongly divulging any special information if I told the House that we are going to cut down exports.

Mr. Shinwell

Are we to understand that it is the policy of the Mines Department, and the Government, to continue to export coal when we are told we may shiver this winter? Is it intended that that should be the policy?.

Mr. Grenfell

I do not think we are going to shiver; I think we shall have sufficient coal for our use. The first claim for the consumption of coal produced in this country is to be given to the people of this country and the industries of this country.

Mr. Shinwell

May I give notice now that on perusal of the figures which my hon. Friend proposes to send me, I may desire to ask permission to raise this matter on the Adjournment?

Mr. Bellenger

On a point of Order. The Secretary for Mines has offered to send these figures to my hon. Friend who proposes to raise the matter on the Adjournment. In view of the fact that other hon. Members may wish to take part in that Debate, are they also entitled to that information if they so desire it?

Mr. Speaker

No doubt the figures could be supplied to other hon. Members who desire to have them.