§ 20. Sir J. Edenasked the Minister of Power whether he will cause the target figure for coal exports in the National Plan to be revised upwards at the next review of the Plan.
§ Mr. MarshThese are estimates, not targets: we would wish to sell abroad as much as we can at economic prices.
§ Sir J. EdenWhy is the target published in the National Plan below the objective set by the National Coal Board itself? Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that we should aim to increase exports? How does he explain the difference between the Coal Board and himself? Who is the boss of this industry?
§ Mr. MarshOne of the problems with the estimates, of course, is that the fall in exports—there has been one in this respect—is the result of intense competition for markets. It also has to be borne in mind that in many cases the prices obtainable are not commercially attractive.
§ Mr. BarberDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree with the President of the Deputies' Association, who was reported this morning as saying that unless the loss of trained miners is halted we shall be short of coal next winter? Obviously, this will affect our exports.
§ Mr. MarshOne can go on saying this, of course. I do not think that this picture of a coalmining industry being in a tremendous crisis is helpful to the industry or to halting the drift of miners from the pits. There is a great future for people who are prepared to work in coal mines and a great need for them.