§ 35. Mr. Fitchasked the Minister of Power, in view of the continuing difficulties being experienced by the coal industry, if he will consult the President of the Board of Trade about the increasing quantity of fuel oil being imported into this country from refineries abroad, with a view to limiting those imports.
§ Mr. FitchIs not the hon. Gentleman aware that so far this year net imports of fuel oil have doubled compared with the same period last year? Has his attention been drawn to speeches made by the Chairman of the National Coal Board drawing the attention of the country and the coal industry to the critical situation which will arise if imported fuel oil is allowed in without any restriction at all?
§ Mr. WoodI have certainly had my attention drawn to the suggestion that fuel oil is being dumped in this country, but so far I have found no evidence to support it. It is true that in the first three months of this year we produced slightly less fuel oil than we used, but 958 the vast proportion of inland demand is satisfied by home refining and I am told that it is likely that over the year as a whole the amount produced from home refining will just about equal the demand.
§ 36. Mr. Wyattasked the Minister of Power what steps he is taking to meet the threat to the British coal industry involved in the imports of cheap Russian oil at the equivalent rate of 500,000 tons a year.
§ Mr. WoodIn the twelve months to the end of April, imports of Russian fuel oil were less than 100,000 ton's. These imports are closely controlled by licence and the effect on the coal industry is one of the factors taken into account before licences are granted.
§ Mr. WyattThe Minister has not answered my Question, because at the moment imports are running at the equivalent rate of half a million tons a year and the price being charged for Russian oil is only £5 15s. a ton as against £6 10s. by other importers. Russian oil is now being dumped, with the connivance of the Government, at the expense of the coal mining industry.
§ Mr. WoodI think the hon. Gentleman will find that he is mistaken about the present rate at which Russian imports are continuing. As he knows, there was an exception, which was explained by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, in the case of the Portland Cement Company, which for certain reasons was allowed a licence to import a tonnage of Russian oil. I think that the hon. Gentleman's figures are incorrect.
§ Mr. JayHave the Government considered applying their present antidumping powers to the sale of this oil, whether from Russia or elsewhere, which it is alleged is being sold here below the cost of production?
§ Mr. WoodI would certainly consider applying anti-dumping laws if I were convinced that dumping was taking place.
§ Mr. C. OsborneWill my right hon. Friend say when the party opposite changed its policy on Russian imports into this country? In the past it has always been keen on increasing trade with the Soviet Union. What is the reason for this sudden change?