Coal (Hansard, 15 November 1982)

§ 7. Mr. Edwin Wainwright
asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many tons of coal have been imported during each of the past three years; what is the estimated amount for the current year; and how these figures compare with exports of coal.

§ Mr. John Moore
Imports for 1979, 1980 and 1981 were respectively 4.4 million, 7.3 million and 4.3 million tonnes. Exports for those years were 2.3 million, 4 million and about 9 million tonnes. Imports for 1982 are likely to equal those for 1981 while exports are expected to be 8 million tonnes. We have therefore moved from being a net importer of 2 million tonnes in 1979 to being a net exporter of some 3 million-4 million tonnes this year.

§ Mr. Wainwright
The industry welcomes increased exports of coal, but does the hon. Gentleman agree that with stocks of about 50 million tonnes and a dark cloud of pit closures, which would have an effect on production, appearing to hang over the industry, it is economic madness to allow the import of 4 million tonnes of coal? We should make sure that little coal comes into the country while we have such supplies.

§ Mr. Moore
That is difficult when we are a net exporter. I wonder how many other British industries would welcome being in such a position. The hon. Gentleman knows well that 80 per cent. of the relatively minor amount of coal imported is of special coking coals, anthracite to maintain and develop our coal customers and coal to help the long-term pattern of demand of the coal industry. Only 20 per cent. of those imports are of steam coal and they come into Thames-side ports. We are talking about factors that help rather than hinder our long-term coal industry.

§ Mr. Rost
Would coal exports not be increased substantially if the coal industry were more competitive and if instead of subsidising uneconomic pits with huge sums of public money we used those funds for new investment to reduce coal prices and make coal competitive in export markets?

§ Mr. Moore
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. All of us interested in wanting to see the coal industry expand its export and domestic markets wish to have security of supply and competitive prices. The key to the industry's future success is the control of its costs.

§ Mr. Greville Janner
I recognise that we shall not remain net exporters of coal unless we replace those pits that are being exhausted and closed down, as are so many in Leicestershire. Will the hon. Gentleman protest to his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment about his decision to ask the Leicestershire county council not to approve the opening of the first pit at Asfordby in the Vale of Belvoir?

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. That is a question that should be tabled and appear in the Order Paper. In my judgment it is not a fair supplementary.

§ Mr. Janner
Without questioning your judgment, Mr. Speaker, with the greatest respect—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order.

§ Mr. Moore
There are two points. First, since the "Plan for Coal" there has been a reduction of 8 million tonnes in capacity against an increase of 16 million tonnes. That is the sort of pattern of economic development that one would like to see. I shall draw the hon. and learned Gentleman's remarks to the attention of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. The hon. and learned Gentleman should not allow himself to become anxious about the legitimate examination of the issue, which will not, I hope, change the pattern of development.