HC Deb 22 January 1948 vol 446 cc371-2
39. Mr. P. Roberts

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the total amount of coal imported into the United Kingdom in the months of November and December; what was the average cost per ton in £s delivered into this country; what was the total amount of coal exported from the United Kingdom in the same months; and what was the average cost per ton f.o.b. in £s.

Mr. Gaitskell

The quantities of coal imported during the months of November and December, 1947, were 53,448 tons and 15,112 tons respectively; the import value c.i.f. was 98s. 10d. and 93s. 10d. per ton in each case. Exports of coal from this country during the same months were 63,767 tons and 157,663 tons. Export values, according to H.M. Customs and Excise, were 50s. 1d. and 62s. 0d per ton f.o.b. respectively.

Mr. Roberts

Is the Minister satisfied that this is a very businesslike arrangement?

Mr. Gaitskell

I can assure the hon. Member that these are only the tail-end of the contracts made earlier to import coal from the United States and Poland for which he was always particularly anxious.

Mr. Osborne

Was the quality of the coal imported at 90s. a ton and the quality of the coal which we sold at 55s. a ton about the same?

Mr. Gaitskell

I do not see any reason to suppose that the quality would be particularly different.

Mr. Osborne

Then it is a very bad bargain.