Earl of Dalkeithasked the Minister of Power whether he will give a general direction to the National Coal Board to stop importing foreign timber for use in English coal mines until such time as all the suitable material from Scottish forests devastated by the recent hurricane has been consumed.
§ Mr. FreesonNo.
Earl of Dalkeithasked the Minister of Power (1) what proportion of the timber used by the National Coal Board in Scotland, England and Wales, respectively, was imported during the most recent year for which figures are available; and what was the average price paid for home-grown and imported material;
(2) what was the cost of the timber imported and the value of the coal and coal products exported by the National Coal Board in each of the last three years.
§ Mr. FreesonI have asked the Chairman of the National Coal Board to write to the hon. Member and to give him the available information.