§ 3. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much coal was imported in the 12 months to 31st March, 1955; how much came from United States and Canadian sources, and how much from elsewhere; and what were the relevant percentages.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksFigures up to 31st March are not yet available, but for the 12 months ended 28th February, 1955, 4,235,000 tons of coal were imported, of which 935,000 tons were from the United States and Canada and 3,300,000 tons from other sources. The respective percentages were 22 and 78.
§ Mr. NabarroIs it not a fact that the import of this very large tonnage of coal from North American sources has again this year, as in previous years, led to a very considerable derangement of North American ocean freights? In those circumstances, cannot we avail ourselves more readily of surpluses of similar coals which exist in soft currency sources in Europe, both east and west of the Iron Curtain, and diminish the supplies from North America?
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksCurrency considerations are amongst those affecting this question from whence coal is imported, but there are other questions such as the availability of required grades, prices and shipping facilities. There is an advantage in being able to bring in coal in big trans-Atlantic ships.
§ Mr. H. HyndDoes the hon. Gentleman remember what his hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) said when the Labour Government imported a much smaller quantity of coal than this?
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksYes, certainly, but production, under the Conservative Government, has increased so much since then that much more coal is needed.
§ 5. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Fuel and Power, in consideration of our coal import needs reaching a figure of 10 million tons during the year commencing 1st April, 1955, what steps he is taking to assure foreign supplies.
§ 10. Mr. W. Stewardasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is yet in a position to estimate the amount of 800 coal it will be necessary to import in the current coal year to sustain industrial and domestic supplies; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksIt is as yet too early to estimate the amount required to be imported during the next 12 months, but my right hon. Friend has no reason to think that the National Coal Board, who arrange the purchase and importation of coal in accordance with programmes agreed with the Government, will be unable to obtain the quantities necessary to supplement home output.
§ Mr. NabarroDoes my hon. Friend's reply mean that he assumes that coal production in the United Kingdom is not going to rise during the next 12 months, and that, therefore, this figure of 10 million tons of imports will indeed be required before March, 1956?
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksI do not think my answer indicated that I was not anticipating an increase in coal production. I should not like to prophesy or publish any estimate of what imports will be necessary over the next 12 months for fear of prejudicing the Board's commercial negotiations.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonCould not all these expensive complications so ardently desired by the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) be avoided if we stopped exporting coal that we need in this country?
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksMy right hon. Friend has answered the hon. and gallant Gentleman with regard to coal exports a number of times.
§ 9. Mr. Palmerasked the Minister of Fuel and Power the approximate value in pounds sterling of coal imported and coal exported into and from the United Kingdom during the 12 months ended 31st March, 1955.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksIn the 12 months ended 28th February the c.i.f. value of coal imports was £24 million and the f.o.b. value of coal exports £58 million.