§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what he estimates is the market for coal in the United Kingdom at the present time; and how this compares with June or July coal production expressed at an annual rate.
§ Mr. EmeryIn July, coal consumption was at an annual rate equivalent to approximately 137 million tons. The corresponding figure for production in the same month was 142 million tons, but statistics relating to such short periods of time cannot be relied upon to indicate the present relationship between supply and demand. Since the beginning of this financial year production has totalled 47 million tons, and consumption 39 million tons, but both have been considerably affected by the aftermath of the strike and by seasonal factors.
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§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give the coal stocks for this time of the year over a 10-year period, and indicate what stocks he expects to have by Christmas. 1972.
§ Mr. EmeryStatistics for coal stocks at the end of four-five weekly periods appear in the Department's Digests of Energy Statistics and in the Monthly Digest of Statistics compiled by the Central Statistical Office. Weekly figures are published in the Department's Weekly Statistical Statement. Copies of these publications are available in the Library of the House.
Stocks are currently close to last year's levels. As they can be affected by such vagaries as changes in the weather I prefer not to hazard a guess at possible future levels.