§ 14. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the latest figures available for annual coal production; how these compare with the corresponding figures five and 10 years previously; what projections are available for future coal outputs; and what plans he has for stimulating additional investment in the coal industry.
§ Mr. John MooreIn 1980, 130.1 mt. of coal were produced in the United Kingdom. Five years ago, in 1975, the comparable figure was 128.7 mt, and 10 years ago, in 1970, coal output in the United Kingdom was 147.1 mt.
Latest available published projections of future coal output are contained in my Department's 1979 energy projections, and the NCB's projected capital investment levels are published annually in the public expenditure White Paper.