Duchess of ATHOLLasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that an agreement is being negotiated between the Scandinavian Coal Importers' Union and the Polish Coal Syndicate whereby a certain quantity of Polish coal will be purchased by the union over a considerable period; and what steps His Majesty's Government propose to take to safeguard the exports of coal to Scandinavian countries?
§ Mr. ISAAC FOOTI understand that discussions have taken place between representatives of the Scandinavian Coal Importers' Federation (excluding those of the Norwegian Importers' Association) and the Polish Coal Exporters, but there are conflicting statements as to their object, and I am not aware of the result. With regard to the last part of the question, I am not yet in a position to make any statement.