HC Deb 28 November 1983 vol 49 c395W
20. Mr. Eggar

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is now satisfied with the current performance of the United Kingdom coal industry.

Mr. Giles Shaw

No, although I welcome the fact that the NCB has made some progress in containing costs and increasing efficiency. However, the board's external financing requirement is expected to be over £1 billion both this year and next. The board's loss before payment of deficit grant, is likely to be over £500 million in 1983–84.