HC Deb 19 July 1971 vol 821 c190W
46. Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement about the amount of anthracite and other smokeless fuel imports into the United Kingdom.

Mr. Ridley

: 240,000 tons of smokeless fuels were imported in the six months following the lifting of restrictions on imports in early December, 1970, compared with 40,000 tons in the 11 months to November, 1970.

56. Mr. James Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is aware of the difficulty in obtaining adequate supplies of smokeless fuel in Yorkshire and Humberside ; and what he is doing to remedy this.

Mr. Ridley

: I am not aware of any general shortage in this area, but the local availability of supplies is a matter for producers and merchants. I am asking the Solid Smokeless Fuel Federation if it will write to the hon. Member.