HC Deb 28 November 1955 vol 546 cc1916-7
13. Mr. Janner

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many dollars are being spent by Britain to buy United States coal for Eire.

3. Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will make a statement concerning the change in policy about the export of coal to the Republic of Ireland.

Mr. Joynson-Hicks

I understand that instead of supplying a similar quantity from the United Kingdom the National Coal Board has arranged for the direct shipment into the Irish Republic, at a cost of about $600,000, of some American coal which the Board had already bought as part of their import programme. There has been no change in general policy regarding these exports which are the subject of a trade agreement made in 1948 between the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic.

Mr. Janner

In view of the drain on our currency, is not the Minister going to do anything about remedying the position? Will there be any repetition of these imports from the United States into Ireland, in view of the currency question I have referred to?

Mr. Joynson-Hicks

The question of currency does not arise in this case because the coal had already been bought and had to be paid for in hard currency, whether it was imported into this country and we exported it to Ireland, or whether it was imported into this country and other coal was exported to Ireland, or whether it was diverted directly to Ireland.

Mr. Nabarro

While supporting the traditional link there is in coal supplies to Ireland, can my hon. Friend assure the House that there is no loss to the National Coal Board in re-selling this coal in Eire?

Mr. Joynson-Hicks

The export prices of coal are negotiated as commercial agreements by the National Coal Board, and it would be for the Board to say whether or not there was any loss on that transaction.

Mr. Bottomley

Would not the Minister agree that it is unfair to the energetic exporters who are earning dollars for us to find we are importing coal?

Mr. Joynson-Hicks

That is a very much wider question. American coal has had to be imported to meet home demand.