HC Deb 11 May 1961 vol 640 cc69-70W
60. Mr. Gunter

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the application of the Steel Company of Wales for a licence to import coal from the United States of America.

61. Mr. Grimond

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he intends to grant a licence for the import of United States coal.

62. Mr. Wainwright

asked the President of the Board of Trade what request he has had from the Steel Company of Wales, or from any other company, to consider granting a licence for the importation of United States coal.

63. Mr. M. Foot

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reply he has made to the application of the Steel Company of Wales to import coal; and whether before considering any departure in policy in this respect he will have full consultations with the National Union of Mineworkers.

64. Mr. Morris

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he intends to grant a licence to the Steel Company of Wales to import American coking coal; and whether he will make a statement.

65. Mr. C. Osborne

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the reasons for his refusal to grant a licence to import American coal which is 30s. a ton cheaper than comparable British coal; what effect he estimates this will have upon industrial production costs; how far it will affect the United Kingdom's ability to export; and if he will make a statement.

66. Mr. Grey

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has come to a decision concerning the application of the Steel Company of Wales to import American coal into this country; and if he will make a statement.

67. Mr. Popplewell

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the application of the Steel Company of Wales to import American coal into this country.

68. Mr. W. Hamilton

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received requesting the granting of a licence for the import of coal from the United States of America; and what was the nature of his reply.

Mr. Maudling

An application by the Steel Company of Wales to import American coking coal was refused last November. The Company subsequently renewed its application and made further representations on the subject which I am now considering.