§ 99. Mr. Gowerasked the Paymaster-General if he will give a general direction to the National Coal Board that the maximum use should be made of the facilities at the South Wales ports for importation of coal supplies ordered from overseas and to be delivered in the United Kingdom during the next 12 months.
§ Mr. MaudlingNo. The choice of ports depends largely on the areas of the home market where imported coal is needed and is a matter for the National Coal Board to determine.
§ Mr. P. Noel-Bakerasked the Paymaster-General how many United States dollars were paid for the United States coal imported into the United Kingdom in 1955 and 1956, respectively; and what sums were paid in those years in other currencies for the imports of other foreign coal.
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§ Mr. MaudlingThe dollar cost was about £18½ million and £12½ million respectively. The landed cost of imports from other sources in these years was about £36½ million and £18½ million respectively.