§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in view of the rising coal stocks at pit heads and National Coal Board coal-stocking yards, the noticeable increase in productivity in the coal mining industry, and of the fall in absenteeism, he will take steps to stop all coal imports from countries outside the European Economic Community; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in view of the rising coal stocks at pit heads and National Coal Board coal-stocking yards, the noticeable increase in productivity in the coal mining industry, and of the fall in absenteeism, he will take steps to stop all coal imports from countries within the European Economic Community; and whether on entry into the Community he will still have the power to take such action unilaterally.
§ Mr. EmeryI would refer the right hon. Member and the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Industry to the hon. Member for Blyth (Mr. Milne) on 26th June. There will be free trade in Community-produced coal within the enlarged Community, but we shall be able to adopt our own policy towards other coal. However, the whole matter of coal importation is being kept under close watch.—[Vol. 839, c.219.]