§ 4. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Mooreasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what proposals he has in mind for increasing our exports of coal and so solving most of our economic problems.
§ The Minister of Fuel and Power (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)The Government propose to increase coal exports this year by 2 million tons, as compared with 1951. I cannot at present make any statement about 1953.
§ Sir T. MooreAs I asked last week, is not the real solution of this problem to import willing foreign labour? In any case, what is the objection?
§ Mr. LloydI would not say that that was the only solution. It is extremely important to attract more British people to the mines.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesWould not the Minister agree that it is very important, in order that the target of coal production in Ayrshire shall be increased, that the miners shall have a guarantee of decent housing conditions? Will the Minister see that everything is done to speed this up?
§ Mr. LloydI would remind the hon. Gentleman of the statement, made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing, 3 of the Government's new plan to increase housing in the coal-fields by very special measures.
§ Sir Waldron SmithersIs not the real reason for the decrease in coal exports and the necessity to import coal, simply nationalisation, remote control, the removal of personal responsibility and competition, and the excessive number of bureaucrats and palatial offices?