§ 18. Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now reverse his decision to allow imported coal into this country, in view of the build-up of indigenous stocks.
§ Sir J. EdenNo, Sir. The stocks position has improved but the time has not yet come to review imports, which continue to provide a useful degree of flexibility for consumers and merchants.
§ Mr. SkinnerIs the Minister aware that, as a result of the recent increased productivity in the British coalfields, and of the Government's deliberately induced economic slump, stocks have risen much 19 more rapidly than estimated? Does not the importation of foreign coal at £5 a ton more than the cost of British coal make nonsense of the Tory promise about free competition?
§ Sir J. EdenStocks have been improving, as I said, but they are still much lower than desirable and well below the end-May levels in recent years. As for the price paid for imported fuels, that is a matter for those who import them.