§ 59. Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many countries have exported coal to the United Kingdom since December, 1970; and what are the approximate prices per ton.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanTwelve countries. Average values per metric tonne of imports from these countries have ranged from £8.45 to £32.96 for the period January, 1971, to February, 1972, inclusive. These average values are not true prices as they are influenced by varying qualities of coal, transport costs and other factors.
§ 60. Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the latest estimate in tons of imported coal since December, 1970.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanInformation is published in the monthly Overseas Trade Statistics. The total for January, 1971, to February, 1972, inclusive, is 4.8 million metric tonnes.
§ Mr. McGuireasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now make a statement on his review of coal import policy.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanI would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's statement on 6th March, when he announced that the Government had decided that imports of solid fuels would continue on open general licence.—[Vol. 832, c. 1032–9.]