HC Deb 12 May 1947 vol 437 c1060
5. Mr. Warbey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will instruct the United Kingdom delegation to the Economic Commission for Europe to press for immediate concerted action to assist the Polish Government in improving the unloading facilities at the harbours of Gdynia and Gdansk, so that more Polish coal can be made available to Britain and other European countries.

Mr. McNeil

On the general question of instructions to the United Kingdom delegation to the Economic Commission for Europe I would refer my hon. Friend to the written answer given to him on 7th May. The Polish Government, however, has been informed that His Majesty's Government would be prepared to examine possibilities of help in providing additional facilities in Polish ports.

Mr. Warbey

Bearing in mind the fact that the limiting factor to the export of Polish coal this year is likely to be, not production, but transport, will my right hon. Friend try to get the concerted action of Those European countries, including ourselves, which are anxious to import coal from Poland?

Mr. McNeil

As regards transport, I am not clear whether my hon. Friend is referring to internal or external transport. We have made a concerted effort to see that in general internal European transport is most efficiently and economically provided. In the matter of external transport, His Majesty's Government are considering what mechanical help they might make available to the Polish Government.

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