HC Deb 18 July 1978 vol 954 cc184-5W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what subsidies the Government are prepared to pay the Central Electricity Generating Board for an additional extra coal-burn in 1979, so that the consumers of electricity will not be burdened with the additional cost of uncompetitive fuel and so that generating boards may comply with their statutory duty of producing electricity at economic cost under Section 2 of the Electricity Act 1957.

Mr. Eadie

We have put in hand an examination of the potential for additional coal-burn in Central Electricity Generating Board power stations. Should the Government decide to provide financial support, grants would be made to the National Coal Board under Section 3 of the Coal Industry Act 1977.