HC Deb 10 February 1947 vol 433 cc1388-90
78. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will now make a statement showing the present membership and stating the functions of the European Coal Organisation; the effect the organisation has upon the allocation of coal produced in this country; and the extent to which the export of British coal is dictated by this organisation.

Mr. Shinwell

As the answer to the first part of the Question is a list, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. With regard to the remainder of the Question, there is no change in the position described in my reply to a Question by the hon. Member on 28th May last, in which I pointed out that the European Coal Organisation is not concerned with either the quantity of coal used in the United Kingdom or its distribution.

Mr. De la Bère

Is it not an astonishing fact that a big international body is allowed to allocate coal which is badly needed at home, and we have no control over it whatsoever?

Mr. Shinwell

Only a very small proportion of our coal goes abroad, and it is a very negligible portion of the amount used by the European Coal Board.

Mr. Churchill

How does the amount of coal exported abroad compare with the amount that has been saved in the last ten days?

Mr. Shinwell

I have given the reply to the Question. The figure of exports for last year is about 8 million tons, and about half of that was for bunkering, which cannot he avoided. For the rest, it is regarded as inferior coal.

Mr. Churchill

What have we saved during the period of restriction?

Mr. Shinwell

That, of course, is another question

Mr. Churchill

It is another question, Out it is one which urgently requires a reply.

Mr. Shinwell

Perhaps, as the right hon. Gentleman regards it is urgent, he will put clown a question.

Following is the list:

Member Countries: Belgium, Czecho slovakia, Denmark, France, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States of America.

Associatied Countries: Finland, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland.

Full members of the Organisation, which have so far been confined to United Nations, include both supplying and importing countries. Certain other European countries, dependent on imported coal supplies, participate in the Organisation and are known as "Associated Countries." In addition, arrangements have recently been made for South Africa, which exports relatively small quantities of coal to Europe, to be represented at appropriate meetings of the Organisation.

Back to