§ Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Minister of Technology if, owing to the world demand for coking coal, he will give special financial aid to the National Coal Board so that further development of this kind of coal can take place.
Mr. Alan WilliamsNo. It is up to the National Coal Board to plan its production and sales on a commercial basis in the light of prospective demands for coking coal.
§ Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Minister of Technology if he will ascertain and publish the amount, in tons, of the known reserves of coking coal in the Yorkshire coalfield, with the names by which the seams of coal are known, before making grants to the National Coal Board under Section 1 of the Coal Industry Bill.
Mr. Alan WilliamsNo. The National Coal Board takes into account the supply of and demand for different coals in making decisions about the future of individual collieries.