§ 10. Mr. Boydenasked the President of the Board of Trade what Governments he has approached to treat British coal exports fairly since 1st March, 1960.
§ Mr. J. RodgersWe are in touch with the authorities in Belgium and Federal Germany regarding improved facilities for the import of United Kingdom coal into those countries.
§ Mr. BoydenCannot the hon. Gentleman tackle the problem of exports by agreement with Poland and also exports to Scandinavia much more energetically? Does not he realise that this way of developing trade would be far better for my constituency than the issue of I.D.Cs?
§ Mr. RodgersAs a matter of commercial policy we do not favour inter-Governmental arrangements with Poland, or any other country, to share markets or fix prices. Such agreements are not in our general interest as an exporting country.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsIs the Minister aware that what happened in the 1930s is happening again in the 1960s, and that Polish coal is being dumped at less than cost? Is he saying that the Government are having no discussions with the Polish Government about that situation?
§ Mr. RodgersI have already said that discussions with various Governments are taking place.
§ Mr. GriffithsIs Poland included?