Mr. Vaneasked the President of the Board of Trade why the import of pit-props from Commonwealth countries with a dollar currency increased during the first six months of 1956 compared with the first six months of 1955, while it has decreased from those with a sterling currency; and why he authorised the expenditure of such additional dollars.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftImports of pit-props, as of softwood generally, are allowed under open individual licences. These impose no restriction on the source of supply, and the question of my authorising the expenditure of any particular currency does not therefore arise.