§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the current level of coal stocks and how this compares with a year ago.]
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD MILLS)My Lords, distributed stocks, which are mainly in the hands of public utilities, industrial consumers and coal merchants, amounted to 18.1 million tons on October 28 last, against 14.8 million tons a year earlier, Stocks held by the National Coal Board at collieries and opencast sites totalled 22.4 million tons; a year earlier they were 32.8 million tons.
§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEMy Lords, on balance, would my noble friend say that these stocks are embarrassing; and, if so, what steps are being taken to liquidate them?
§ LORD MILLSMy Lords, I think that these stocks are getting on a much more satisfactory basis. It is a good thing to see considerable stocks in the hands of merchants and consumers because that avoids any trouble there might be from any hold-up. The National Coal Board's stocks are now getting down to more manageable proportions.
§ LORD PEDDIEMy Lords, could the noble Lord give any indication of the availability of stocks of smokeless fuel?
§ LORD MILLSMy Lords, I do not have the figures with me. All I can say is that no difficulties of any note are being experienced in the supply of smokeless fuels.