§ 14. Captain Ryderasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will give an assurance that supplies of coal for bunkering British ships and ships on charter to this country will receive priority over exports.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerI regret that it is not practicable to give an overriding priority to bunkers over exports; but I fully share the hon. and gallant Member's anxiety that no avoidable delay should be caused to the movement of ships.
§ Captain RyderIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that dislocation is already taking place in this respect, and that ships are being diverted from their ports or are being made to take on uneconomical bunkers or inefficient fuel?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIt happened in the case to which the hon. and gallant Gentleman drew my attention that the National Coal Board could not supply Cumberland coal from the port in question, Workington, because the coal was being loaded for export to overseas destinations. Other coal was provided for the ship in question, but I am making further inquiries into the point which the hon. and gallant Gentleman raised and I will write to him.
§ Mr. D. MarshallIf the right hon. Gentleman instructs a vessel to bunker foreign coal abroad, does he consider that to be an import of coal into this country?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerBunkers are shown as exports, but separately from cargo exports.