asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many tons of anthracite are to be sold to Canada in 1950; to what extent shipping is available for the amount sold; and how much it is estimated could be sold to Canada if available.

I hope that sales of anthracite to Canada in 1950 will show a material increase over the tonnage shipped in 1949. But commercial negotiations on the matter are now going on, and I am afraid that I cannot, therefore, give the estimate for which the hon. Member asks. The National Coal Board have good hopes that their shipping requirements will be met. Before the war, about a million tons a year were sent to Canada, and I think that something like that tonnage could probably still be sold there today. if we had the necessary supplies.