HC Deb 05 June 1947 vol 438 cc375-6
45. Major Peter Roberts

asked the Prime Minister whether he will institute immediate negotiations with the Government of South Africa for the supply to Great Britain of 2,500,000 tons of coal within the next 12 months and the export from this country of 1,000 railway wagons to that Dominion.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)

The amount of coal exported from South Africa in 1946 was about four million tons. A considerable proportion of this was made available to British users outside the United Kingdom. The possibility of increasing exports at present is at our request being considered by the Union authorities. It is, however, clear from a recent ministerial statement in South Africa that an increase of the order suggested by the hon. and gallant Member would not be feasible. As regards railway wagons for South Africa, an order for 1,200 was recently placed in this country, but delivery will not be possible for some time. From the South African statement to which I have referred, it appears that the provision of these extra wagons would not, of itself, appreciably increase the amount of coal available for export from South Africa.

Major Roberts

May I ask the Prime Minister, first of all, whether any communications have passed between his Government and the High Commissioner for South Africa in this country, because, when the Question was put down, no such communication had been made? Is he further aware that the High Commissioner is anxious to try and produce this amount of 2,500,000 tons of coal, and that my information is that, if the extra wagons were available, the extra coal would be possible for this country?

The Prime Minister

As a matter of fact, I discussed this matter very fully myself with Mr. Waterson when he was over here, and I have gone into the question of what coal can be made available. With regard to wagons, the point was raised, but, as a matter of fact, the order for wagons had been placed only a short time ago. Therefore, we cannot expect these wagons to be produced in about three weeks.

Major Roberts

But is the Prime Minister aware that we are urgently in need of this coal, and that, unless this extra coal comes by October, the shortage will be very great? May I press the Prime Minister to reconsider the matter, because I am certain that the High Commissioner for South Africa has had more recent information since the conversation with Mr. Water-son, and could give the Prime Minister further information?

The Prime Minister

I am quite prepared to receive any further information. We have been in close touch with the High Commissioner, and, really, I do not know on what grounds the hon. and gallant Member suggests that it is possible to get this coal earlier. I know that the South African authorities are doing all in their power, and they do not suggest that it is possible on anything like the scale suggested by the hon. and gallant Member.