§ Lord Stoddart of Swindonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What discussions they have had with EEC countries concerning the desirability of meeting the coal shortfall in the EEC from British mines rather than by importing coal into the Community from third countries.
§ The Earl of AvonThe subject of coal imports into the European Community was covered in a Commission paperEuropean Community Coal Policy. This paper was discussed in the Tenth Report of the Lords Select Committee on the European Communities.
The Government would not dissent from the Select Committee's endorsement of the Commission's view that most additional coal required by the Community over the next several years would be supplied from third countries, though the National Coal Board will remain alert to every opportunity to conclude sales into Europe where this business can be secured on a profitable basis. I am pleased to say that recently Britain has been a net exporter of coal.