§ 26. Mr. W. Yatesasked the Paymaster-General the total tonnage of anthracite of all grades exported from Great Britain in 1958; and to what countries.
§ Sir I. HorobinAbout 1.1 million tons, of which over four-fifths went to the Netherlands, France and Belgium.
§ 28. Mr. W. Yatesasked the Paymaster-General the reason for allowing coal merchants only 80 per cent. of their normal requirements for household anthracite.
§ Sir I. HorobinThis is a matter for the National Coal Board, but I understand that the figure of 80 per cent. understates the proportion of deliveries to actual 69W present-day requirements. Dispatches of anthracite and dry steam boiler nuts and of the smaller sizes of anthracite needed for certain specialised appliances are at a higher level than a year ago and there are ample supplies of "Phurnacite".
§ 29. Sir D. Robertsonasked the Paymaster-General when he may expect to receive information, in accordance with the undertaking given by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Power in his letter dated 19th December, 1958, to the hon. Member for Caithness and Sutherland, concerning the famine of anthracite coals in Caithness, in view of the situation which has now arisen there owing to continued non-delivery.
§ Sir I. HorobinI wrote to my hon. Friend on 19th January and would refer him also to my Answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT for Tuesday, 20th January.