§ Mr. Cunliffeasked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the National Coal Board's capital investment programme for collieries in 1978–79, 1979–80 and 1980–81; what is the estimated capital programme for collieries for 1981–82 in real terms in the light of the recent announcement on National Coal Board finances; and what percentage increase or decrease this is over 1980–81.
§ Mr. David HowellThe size of the National Coal Board's capital investment programme for collieries within its overall expenditure on fixed assets is a matter for the board. The board's report and accounts for the year 1979–80 gave the following figures for capital expenditure on mining activities—not all of which is expenditure for collieries—in 1978–79 and 1979–80:
£m Outturn 1978–79 1979–80 Mining capital expenditure 454 617 The board's report and accounts for 1980–81 will be available in the next few weeks.
Within the resources available to it for 1981–82, it will be for the board to allocate capital expenditure between mining and other activities.