§ Mr. Charles Morrisonasked the Minister of Power what was the annual tonnage of coal sold by the National Coal Board to the steel industry since 1950, indicating the proportion taken by those companies which the Government propose to nationalise.
§ Mr. Frederick LeeI have consulted the industries concerned and the figures are as follows:
Year Coal received at iron and steel coke ovens* Thousand Tons National Coal Board disposal to the Iron and Steel Industry† Total 1950 … 10,848 8,145 18,993 1951 … 11,713 8,034 19,747 1952 … 13,035 7,393 20,428 1953 … 14,120 7,002 21,122 1954 … 14,478 6,510 20,988 1955 … 14,964 6,397 21,361 1956 … 16,501 5,966 22,467 1957 … 17,299 5,495 22,794 1958 … 15,391 4,391 19,782 1959 … 14,443 3,923 18,366 1960 … 17,939 3,919 21,858 1961 … 16,760 3,287 20,047 1962 … 15,244 2,604 17,849 1963 … 15,925 2,387 18,312 1964 … 17,736 2,155 19,891 * Source: British Coking Industry Association. † Other than to coke ovens. Source: National Coal Board. The Iron and Steel Board estimates that at least 95 per cent. of the total sales in each year were to steel companies which the Government propose to nationalise.