§ 36. Mr. E. Johnsonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power the total amount of new capital introduced into the coal mining industry in Great Britain since 1952.
§ The Minister of Fuel and Power (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)Capital expenditure has been about £253 million, of which £179 million has been financed by new borrowing.
§ Mr. JohnsonCan my right hon. Friend hold out any hope of the country 24 getting any return on this enormous investment of capital in the shape of more coal?
§ Mr. LloydThat is a different question, but I would remind my hon. Friend that coal is an extractive industry and that, in the absence of new investment, capacity for the production of about 5 million tons of coal a year would be lost. That has to be made up before there is a gain.