§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Energy by how much he expects coal production to increase in the United Kingdom over the next (a) 12 months, (b) five years, (c) 10 years and (d) 20 years.
§ Mr. John MooreUnited Kingdom coal production in the financial year 1979–80 totalled 125 million tonnes. The Government's strategy for coal, embodied in the Coal Industry Bill, will give full opportunities for NCB production to expand over the years ahead, provided the extra production can be achieved at a competitive price. In the near future the levels of coal production will be similar to those of recent years. Current projections of coal production in the longer term are between 127 and 138 million tonnes in 1990, and between 137 and 155 million tonnes in 2000. Like all my Department's projections, these are regularly reviewed.