§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Energy what consideration the International Energy Authority has given to the commissioning by the National Coal Board of the 80 Mw coal-fired pressurised fluidised bed combustion plant.
§ Mr. John MooreWhilst the 80 Mw thermal experimental pressurised fluidised bed combustion project is under the auspices of the International Energy Agency, it is controlled by an executive committee of the participants, from the United Kingdom, United States of America and the Federal Republic of Germany. The National Coal Board is the United Kingdom participant, and received financial support from my Department. A wholly owned subsidiary of the National Coal Board—NCB (IEA Grimethorpe) Ltd. —is the operating agent for the participants.
Both the IEA and my Department are kept fully informed on the progress of the project.