HC Deb 26 January 1961 vol 633 c321
20. Mr. Boyden

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will appoint to the European Export Council someone with knowledge of the special conditions and problems of the British coal export trade.

Mr. Maudling

Appointments to the Council have been made by the Council's Chairman, Sir William McFadzean. I will, therefore, refer the hon. Member's point to him. The Council's mandate is directed to expanding all our exports to Europe, including coal.

Mr. Boyden

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that Answer, which gives some encouragement. Will he stress to the Chairman of the Council the particular needs of development districts, some of which would benefit from an increase in the coal export trade?

Mr. Maudling

I will certainly do that. The hon. Gentleman may be pleased to know that all the missions going from the Council to various European countries in the near future have been fully briefed on coal exports.