§ 1 and 2. Mr. P. Robertsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) whether, in view of the surplus of coke, he will grant a six months' allocation of coke for export to coke exporting regions to be distributed among the coke producing trade, so that we can regain some of the traditional coke markets which we have lost in recent years;
§ (2) whether, as there are over two million tons of coke in stock, he will consider allowing the sale of unrationed coke above the present allocation for a period of three months.
§ The Minister of Fuel and Power (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)I share my hon. Friend's desire to make coke freely available for export and at home but, as at present advised, I do not feel able to go further than the increase of the winter coke ration that I announced recently.
§ Mr. RobertsIs not my right hon. Friend aware that the present coke export system, which is almost the same as the wartime system, is too rigid to deal with the variations in this trade; and does he not consider that the time has now come for him to hold an inquiry with his own Department, the Board of Trade which is very much concerned with this question, and the industry, to see whether any alterations can be made in the method? Secondly, could my right hon. Friend say what have been the results of the announœment which he made about the increase of 10 cwt of coke for home consumption? Has that been taken up? Also, could I ask—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Member is asking much too long a supplementary question.
§ Mr. LloydAs my hon. Friend knows, there is an international arrangement on coke exports to which Her Majesty's Government are a party, but I will consider the question in consultation with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. I do not yet know to what extent the increased ration has been taken up.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithWill the Minister hesitate to accept the advice tendered in the Question? Is it not a fact that some authorities, particularly the railways, are concerned about supplies, especially in the early part of next year?
§ Mr. LloydAs I think the House knows, coke is always temperamental from the stock point of view, but I understand that the iron and steel industry has been taking rather less coke recently.