§ 31. Mr. A. Robertsasked the Paymaster-General what tonnage of coal he expects to be exported from the United Kingdom during 1957.
§ Mr. MaudlingAbout 7 million tons.
§ Mr. RobertsCan the Paymaster-General inform the House whether the coal exported is of a similar grade to the coal imported?
§ Mr. MaudlingNo, Sir, but by and large the difference is that we import large coal and that a large proportion of what we export is small coal which cannot be usefully used here. There are certain obligations to maintain exports to countries such as Eire which we have to honour.
§ Mr. RobertsIs it the intention to keep some hold on the major markets of coal on the Continent?
§ Mr. MaudlingI think it is most important to maintain the markets we have for our coal abroad in the hope of being able to expand them in the future.