§ 46. Mr. Harperasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total tonnage and value of imported coal from Poland, since the lifting of the ban on 12th November, 1970, to the latest available date.
§ Mr. Ridley84,000 tons valued at £877,000 for the period December, 1970, the month in which restrictions were removed, to September, 1971 inclusive.
§ 51. Mr. Kelleyasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the effect on the cost of electrical generation of the higher prices being paid for coal imported under Government licences as against the lower cost of coal produced in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. RidleyIt is for coal importers to take account of the costs and availability of United Kingdom and imported coal. As regards the C.E.G.B.'s experiences last winter, during which coal imports were put on open general licence, I would refer the hon. Member to the board's Annual Report and Accounts for 1970–71.
§ 60. Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total cost of coal imports between the raising of the coal import embargo in 1970 and the end of October, 1971, the average cost per ton of coal imported during this period, the cost per ton of coal imported during this period from Australia, Belgium, the Irish Republic, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, South Africa, the United States of America and West Germany; and how these prices compare with coal prices in the United Kingdom during the same period.
§ Mr. RidleyFor the period December, 1970 to September, 1971, the latest month for which figures are available, 7W total imports were valued at £31.5 million. The information involved in the rest of the Question is as follows:
Average value per ton £ Total of which 9.41 Australia 9.24 Belgium 20.66 Irish Republic 8.72 Netherlands 8.81 Norway 38.67 Poland 10.43 South Africa 35.60 U.S.A. 9.34 West Germany 19.74 The average values quoted above are not true prices as they are influenced by varying qualities of coal, transport costs, and other factors. Pithead prices of U.K. produced coal varied between £4.50 and £17.50 per ton according to type and quality.
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the price paid for coal imported from the United States of America, including transport charges to the port of entry, and the price per ton charged to the consumer.
§ Mr. RidleyI refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the hon. Member for Morpeth (Mr. George Grant) on 8th November, 1971 and to the hon. Member for Bedwellty (Mr. Kinnock) on 12th November, 1971.—[Vol. 825, c.49, 284–51.]