§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will indicate the countries abroad where the National Coal Board is conducting explorations for coal or planning to do so with his consent.
§ Mr. EadieAt present the Board has no power to explore for coal outside the countries of the European Coal and Steel Community, but I understand it is providing technical services in a company which has tendered for an exploration project in Queensland. There are prospects for coal development in various parts of the world which would be likely to be of interest to the Board if it had 569W the wider powers of the Coal Industry Bill 1977, but it would be premature to attempt to be more specific at this stage.