§ 79. Mr. Beechmanasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the loss of production arising from the shortage of coal and the resulting reduction in exports, he intends to cut down imports; and, if so, which and to what extent.
§ 80. Sir John Barlowasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the loss of production resulting from the shortage of coal, he intends to reduce goods for home consumption or export; and what adjustments, if any, he intends to make.
§ Mr. BelcherUntil the loss of production can be a little more definitely assessed, it would be premature to say how our programmes will be affected.
§ Mr. BeechmanWill the Minister ensure that the Government's import plans are made known to those engaged in agriculture as well as to those engaged in manufacturing, as soon as possible?
§ Mr. BelcherOf course, we shall give all the information we can as soon as we have the facts.
§ 81. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the President of the Board of Trade whether. 981 until some power is discovered to supplant coal, he will regulate the economy of the country so that industry may fit in with the amount of coal produced rather than urge an expansion beyond the maximum amount of coal available.
§ Mr. BelcherOur aim must be to supply our full essential needs, whether from coal or from other sources of light and heat.
§ Mr. DaviesDoes it not seem reasonable, when the Board of Trade know full well the total amount of coal produced in this country, that they should relate that knowledge to their expenditure of coal in connection with manufacturing industries. instead of the other way round?