§ Squadron-Leader Donnerasked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention, in co-operation with the Government of France, to rehabilitate the coalmines in the Rhineland and the Rhur and to import coal in order to increase in some measure the supplies available for domestic consumption in the United Kingdom and France during the coming winter.
Mr. McNeilIt is the policy of His Majesty's Government, as of the United States and French Governments, to increase the production of coal in Germany to the maximum extent possible, in order810W to provide for the needs of the liberated territories of Europe. There is, however, such a shortage of coal in Western Europe and the needs of our Allies are so acute, that it is not proposed to export German coal to the United Kingdom in the near future.