HC Deb 16 February 1965 vol 706 cc997-8
6. Mr. Norwood

asked the Minister of Power what information he has concerning the capital reconstruction of the National Coal Board; and if he will make a statement.

11. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Minister of Power what proposals he has received from the National Coal Board on relief from financial burdens arising from payment of interest charges.

16. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Minister of Power if he is yet in a position to make a statement on the capital reconstruction of the National Coal Board.

31. Mr. Owen

asked the Minister of Power, in reviewing the prospects of the coal industry, what consultations he has had with the National Coal Board on its global productivity, its declining units of production, its manpower resources, and the cost to it of social responsibilities during this period of economic change; and whether he will make a statement.

48. Sir W. Anstruther-Gray

asked the Minister of Power what steps he is taking to support the Chairman of the National Coal Board in his efforts to promote the use of home-produced coal in preference to imported oil fuel.

50. Sir H. Butcher

asked the Minister of Power whether he will give an estimate of the anticipated production of coal during the 12 months ending 31st December, 1965; how much of this will be sold for export, for electricity, for gas, for industry and for domestic use; and what amount of coal will not be sold during that period.

Mr. Frederick Lee

The review which I am now undertaking in collaboration with the National Coal Board will cover all these aspects of the coal industry's activities, but I cannot add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the member for Don Valley (Mr. Kelley) on 9th February.

Mr. Norwood

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in this instance, as part of the review, there is a very strong case indeed for reducing the burden of capital charges imposed upon the industry, if only for the one reason mentioned by my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucestershire, West (Mr. Loughlin)?

Mr. Lee

My hon. Friend will be glad to know that there is now an interdepartmental committee looking at the question of the capital cost of the industry. The N.C.B. is giving evidence to the Committee. I am not yet in a position to say anything else.

Mr. Shinwell

In view of the heavy capital expenditure incurred by the N.C.B. in its efforts to modernise this very neglected industry, will my right hon. Friend give sympathetic consideration to the views of the Board on the matter of financial reconstruction?

Mr. Lee

I know that there are circumstances which came about through no fault of the Board's. In other words, it was asked to produce targets which in fact were never achieved some years ago, and it was also asked to import American coal at a very great loss to itself. These are specifically points in our examination of the present structure.

Mr. Farr

Is it the intention to maintain the N.C.B. as the second largest manufacturer of building bricks in this country?

Mr. Lee

The N.C.B. does a very fine job of work in this respect, and it is now increasing the global quantity of bricks it produces. We have asked the Board to see whether it can increase it even further, and I am very hopeful that it will be able to achieve it.