§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will introduce a system of subsidies on coke to the foundry industry in line with the United Kingdom's competitors; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John Moore[pursuant to his reply, 9 June 1981]: The NEDC task force on energy prices established that there is a gap between United Kingdom and other European list prices of foundry coke used by industries. Therefore, at the request of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, the NCB has arranged for National Smokeless Fuels Limited, its wholly owned subsidiary, to reduce it list price for foundry coke by £10 a tonne. The cost of this reduction will be accommodated in the external financing limit and operating grants for the NCB which my right hon. Friend announced to the House on 16 June.