HC Deb 27 January 1986 vol 90 cc631-2
4. Mrs. Clwyd

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if, when he next meets the chairman of the National Coal Board, he will raise with him the current situation regarding the availability of anthracite and south Wales steam coal.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy (Mr. David Hunt)

At my right hon. Friend's meetings with the chairman of the NCB all aspects of the coal industry are discussed, including the availability of various types of coal.

Mrs. Clwyd

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that bad planning by the NCB has meant massive stockpiling of power station coal and serious shortages of specialist coal, such as that produced in Durham and south Wales? Why was a pit in my constituency which produced dry smokeless fuel shut, yet, two months later, a plant needing dry smokeless fuel had to lay off men because it could not get that fuel?

Mr. Hunt

The hon. Lady should check her facts. The supply of domestic smokeless fuel, including anthracite, is better than it has been for many years. That was one of the markets most affected by the tragic strike. I wish that the hon. Lady would join the fight to regain those important markets instead of cribbing in the way she does?

Mr. Rowlands

Does the hon. Gentleman accept that we are still importing a large amount of anthracite? There was supposed to be an exciting new investment programme in anthracite, but we have seen nothing of it. There was supposed to be an exciting investment programme in coking coal in south Wales, but we have seen nothing of it. When will the Government and the NCB address themselves to those issues?

Mr. Hunt

Stocks of anthracite in south Wales are more than sufficient to meet expected demand in the coming months. The hon. Gentleman must realise that the tragic strike in the industry did a great deal of damage, no more so than in south Wales.