§ 4. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, to increase home stocks and reduce imports from the United States of America, he will suspend the export of coal.
§ 6. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Fuel and Power the policy of Her Majesty's Government in regard to import and export of coal during 1955–56, in view of static coal production and increasing home demand, to meet rising industrial productivity.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydThere can be no question of suspending exports of coal, but it is the Government's policy to reduce them below last year's level and to import such quantities as are necessary to supplement home production.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIs it not crazy to increase imports of coal which can be done without if we stop exporting coal which is much more urgently needed at home? When is the Minister going to bring this tomfoolery to an end, as it is being conducted at the expense of industrial and domestic consumers in this country?
§ Mr. LloydI think we must consider the long-term interests of the coal industry. It is important to maintain supplies to our traditional markets, and it is, therefore, common sense to import, as is currently done and, indeed, as has always been done in Germany, certain marginal quantities that we need.
§ Mr. NabarroWould my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the substantially larger imports of coal is in itself a reflection of the present very high level of industrial productivity in this country and the fact that industrial consumption of coal and coal equivalent this year is already running at a rate of approximately 10 million tons a year higher than last year?
§ Mr. JayDoes not the Minister realise that if the National Coal Board charged an economic price to British industry, it might help to avoid the need for these imports?