§ Dr. Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the total coal production in 1977 from British collieries existing now.
34Wto the Board since that date; and the amount paid off to date;
(2) what was the total amount written off from the accounts of the National Coal Board in 1965, and the amount it is proposed should be written off in the capital reconstruction that is now imminent.
§ Mr. EmeryThis information—which is readily available in the NCB's Annual Reports and Accounts—is as follows:
§ Mr. EmeryIt is impossible to give a meaningful estimate of the level of coal production in 1977 from existing pits, because some will exhaust their workable reserves and because other factors affecting productivity and the cost of competitive fuels will have a major effect on total production.