§ Mr. Alexander Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the amount of coal imported per month since January 1971 to the nearest available date; where it came from; what was the price paid per ton and its calorific value; and what was the price paid in Great Britain for the same type of indigenous coal.
§ Mr. RidleyFollowing is the information:
I. Imports, January to October, 1971 Monthly averages Tons Total 352,270 of which* Western Germany 8,990 Netherlands 157,287 Belgium 1,174 Irish Republic 1,601 South Africa 42 Australia 35,996 U.S.A. 136,954 Poland 8,415 Canada 1,782 Norway 29 * Imports are classified according to country of consignment and not by country of origin.
II. Average value (c.i.f.) per ton of imported coal* January—October, 1971 U.K. pithead prices per ton January—October, 1971(range) £ £ Anthracite 19.82 10.50–17.50 Steam Coal (including Household) 8.70 4.50–9.00 Gas Coal 10.03 6.75–8.50 Coking Coal 11.36 7.00–10.50 All types 9.39 4.50–17.50 * The average values quoted above are not true prices as they are influenced by varying qualities of coal, transport costs and other factors. III. Information about calorific value is not available.