§ LORD DENHAMMy Lords, on behalf of my noble and gallant friend Lord De L'Isle and Dudley I beg to ask the question which stands in his name.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any information as to the amount of coal which the U.S.A. have shipped or agreed to ship to European countries other than Great Britain during 1947, and whether His Majesty's Government will take steps to ascertain what surplus of coal in excess of those shipments the U.S.A. has available for export to Great Britain, and whether His Majesty's Government is prepared to purchase that surplus or any part of it.]
§ LORD CHORLEYMy Lords, the total quantity of American coal which has been allocated under programme for the first six months of 1947 to European countries that are members of the European Coal Organization is 12,500,000 tons. The availability of American coal to Europe for the second half of 1947 has not yet been declared. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the noble Lord to the message sent by the Prime Minister on 14th February to the President of the United States.
§ LORD DENHAMI am obliged to the noble Lord for his reply.