HC Deb 23 September 1948 vol 456 c1066
6. Sir Waldron Smithers

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he is taking under the Trade Agreement to ensure that the 870,000 tons a year of coal to be exported to Denmark shall be of good quality and free from incombustible matter.

Mr. Gaitskell

I would refer the hon. Member to pages 58–63 of the Annual Report of the National Coal Board for the year 1947, and would add that there have been no complaints about the quality of coal supplied to Denmark.

Sir W. Smithers

Does not the Minister know that my information is that there have been complaints, and is he aware that the removal of competition compels domestic and foreign consumers to take what is available, and that this is very harmful to our export trade?

Mr. Gaitskell

There is no evidence of any complaints from Denmark on this matter, and the rest of the Question, therefore, does not arise.