§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy what he assesses will be the size of the international trade in coal 838W 1985 and 2000, the tonnage of (a) steam coal and (b) coking coal involved and the percentage of United Kingdom participation.
§ Mr. John MooreEstimation in this field is extremely difficult, but the International Energy Agency published a major study last year suggesting that some 210 million tonnes of coal may be traded internationally in 1985, divided between about 80 million tonnes of steam coal and about 130 million tonnes of coking coal. The corresponding forecasts for 2000 are 530 million tonnes, split between 340 million tonnes of steam coal and 190 million tonnes of coking coal. United Kingdom participation in these years is uncertain, but is not likely to amount to more than a very small percentage of world trade.