HC Deb 05 July 1955 vol 543 cc943-5
34 and 35. Mr. Nabarro

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many licence applications for importing foreign coal, and in what total tonnage, he has granted this year;

(2) what percentage of United Kingdom trade is now liberalised; and why coal is excluded.

Mr. Low

An open individual licence is held by the National Coal Board and seven specific licences have been issued during 1955 to other importers for a total of 3,747 tons of coal. Like most items, coal may be imported from the sterling area under open licence. Some two-thirds of our imports from non-sterling sources are free from quantitative restrictions, but coal is included among the items on which detailed licensing control is maintained so that proposals to import may be considered in relation to available United Kingdom supplies and the overseas expenditure involved.

Mr. Nabarro

Yes, but in consideration of the fact that Britain is now the largest coal importing nation in the world, why should we support a system giving favourable treatment to the National Coal Board and denying similar treatment to private enterprise merchants? Why cannot there be free and open competition in order to induce some efficiency into the Coal Board's arrangements?

Mr. Low

I have explained in my answer why it is that quantitative restrictions have to be retained and licensing control has to be kept on. I think my hon. Friend will remember that he has been told on several occasions that licensing does not at present restrict imports of coal. All applications for licences have been met.

Mr. Holt

If it does not restrict the import of coal, why not have an open general licence? Why this discrimination against coal? When the Government's avowed policy is to obtain 90 per cent. liberalisation of trade, and when coal is so important, why discriminate against coal of all things?

Mr. Low

It is not very important in relation to the 90 per cent. liberalisation of O.E.E.C. trade. If the hon. Member will look at the last sentence of my answer when it is printed, he will see that I have already answered his question.

Mr. Nabarro

How can it possibly be equitable that the whole of our private enterprise merchants bring in 3,000 tons of coal against 12 million tons of coal imported by the Coal Board?

Mr. Low

But that is all they have asked for.

36. Mr. Nabarro

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the respective aggregate values of oil and coal imports into the United Kingdom in twelve months ended on the latest date; and in respect of what tonnage of coal he has now granted an import licence to the National Coal Board.

Mr. Low

During the year ended May, 1955, imports of petroleum and petroleum products amounted to £313 million and imports of coal to £43 million. As already stated, imports of coal are made by the National Coal Board on open individual licence.

Mr. Nabarro

Is it not a fact that the private enterprise merchants are not in a position to apply for additional imports of coal because the Minister of Fuel and Power controls the price of it at a level which would not enable them to show a margin of profit on the resale? In those circumstances, cannot we have equity and fair competition between the Coal Board and private enterprise?

Mr. Low

I do not think that any of those questions arise out of the main Question. Certainly, they are not questions for me.