HC Deb 27 February 1947 vol 433 cc2263-4
42. Colonel Stoddart-Scott

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much coal was exported from this country during December, 1946, and January, 1947, respectively, and to which countries did it go.

Mr. Shinwell

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Colonel Stoddart-Scott

The question asked only for two figures, and the names of the countries to which the coal is going.

Mr. Shinwell

The coal, of course, is going to a great many countries. I am circulating the names of those countries in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Colonel Stoddart-Scott

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that what he is telling the House now is quite different from what the President of the Board of Trade said in the coal Debate yesterday? He said then that no coal was going out of this country at the present moment except bunker coal, and coal for Eire.

Mr. Shinwell

My right hon. and learned Friend the President of the Board of Trade said nothing of the sort. As I have pointed out frequently in the House, in reply to Questions and in the course of Debate, there are from 6,000,000 to 7,000,000 tons of coal used for bunkers and for export—about 3,000,000 tons for export—but it is inferior quality coal.

Mr. De la Bére

What about the European Coal Organisation? Is not that the cause of the whole trouble?

Following is the answer:

Country. December, 1946 January, 1947
Tons. Tons.
Eire 75,928 76.595
Channel Islands 12,583 13,802
Gibraltar 21,126 28,926
Canada 4,581 2,806
Other British countries 25 10,490
Finland 2,097 —
Sweden 4,737 30
Iceland 3,953 397
Denmark 7,116 10,840
Belgium — 600
France 3.597 1,262
Algeria 16,598 7,786
Tunis — 3,961
French West and Equatorial Africa 12,845 —
Portugal — 5,618
Spain — 4,404
Egypt — 104
Morocco — 6,503
Other foreign countries 13,738 7,507
Total 178,924 181,631

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