§ Mr. Boxasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give details of any applications he has received for the import of foreign coal in the current year; how many licences he has granted; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Chetwyndasked the President of the Board of Trade how many applications for permits for the import of coal from the United States of America have been made by steel firms; and how many have been granted.
§ Mr. McKayasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that imports of coal from the United States of America will meet opposition from miners; and whether, in view of this, he 71W will refrain from granting licences for these imports.
§ Mr. MaudlingApart from small quantities for special purposes, no licences for imports of coal have been granted since the beginning of 1958 and only one application has recently been received. I am considering the important issues involved in this case with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Power.
§ Mr. Chetwyndasked the President of the Board of Trade why he has granted an import permit for United States coal to a steel firm in the North-East; and what is the quantity and value of this licence.
§ Mr. MaudlingNo such licence has been issued.
§ Mr. McKayasked the President of the Board of Trade what effect he estimates imports of coal will have on the balance of payments; and what steps he takes to restrict imports detrimental to vital United Kingdom industries.
§ Mr. MaudlingSince no imports, other than small quantities for special purposes, are at present allowed, it would be unrealistic to estimate the effects of imports of coal on the balance of payments. It is not the Government's general policy to use import controls to restrict imports although a few limited categories of goods, including coal, are still controlled by import licensing.