HC Deb 28 July 1977 vol 936 c391W
Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the current level of coal imports; from which countries coal is imported into the United Kingdom, what is the total tonnage from each country; and what is the cost per ton.

Mr. Meacher

Following is the information for January to June 1977:

Thousand tones Average value per tonne £ cif
Total imports of which: 885 33.50
U.S.A. 265 40.42
Netherlands 161 26.53
Australia 154 29.34
Belgium and Luxembourg 132 26.21
Federal Republic of Germany 54 48.96
Soviet Union 46 35.09
Poland 27 33.80
Irish Republic 24 21.19
Other countries 21 46.68

Average values are not true prices. The figures are affected by differences in the kinds of coal imported and other factors.

Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the level of coal exports to the other EEC countries; and what is the total tonnage exported to all countries.

Mr. Meacher

In the first six months of this year coal exports to the EEC were 948,000 tonnes out of total exports of 1,017,000 tonnes. This information is published in the June issue of the "Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom" available in the House of Commons Library.