§ 26. Mr. Palmerasked the Paymaster-General if the Government will open discussions with the European Coal and Steel Community and the appropriate American authorities on the present coal situation in Western Europe.
§ Sir I. HorobinThrough the Council of Association with the High Authority we are in consultation on the present situation in Western Europe and their relations with other countries.
§ Mr. PalmerCan the hon. Gentleman say whether it can be brought home to the American Government that a relatively trifling trading adjustment on their part would make a tremendous difference to the present coal recession in Western Europe?
§ Sir I. HorobinThe position is that we have, as it were, no locus in trade relations between America and countries in Western Europe which are importing under ordinary commercial contracts. We have no right to interfere in the matter, but we have made and are making our views very clearly known to the High 901 Authority, which is the body set up for co-ordinating the coal policies, including import policies, of much of Western Europe.
§ Mr. PalmerThe Parliamentary Secretary will surely agree that the American Government would have some influence on American traders in the matter of contracts.
§ Sir I. HorobinThe question is whether we should have any influence with the American Government—whether it is not better to do it, as we are doing it, through the High Authority.