§ Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for Energy what were the stocks of coal held by the National Coal Board at the pitheads, and what costs were thus incurred, for each year since 1971.
§ Mr. Giles ShawEnd year pithead stock levels are given in the NCB annual report and accounts which is available in the House of Commons Library. The costs arising from NCB's holdings of such stocks are a matter for the board.
§ Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the current stocks of coal held by the Central Electricity Generating Board; what costs are incurred in a year by these stocks; and how that position compares with each of the preceeding 14 years.
§ Mr. Giles ShawI am advised by the Central Electricity Generating Board that coal stocks at power stations are sufficient to maintain power supplies for about six months. The costs incurred in stocking coal at power stations are a matter for the board.
§ Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will specify the main customers and users of National Coal Board production; what stocks of coal and coke they are estimated to hold; and how long he estimates those stocks lasting at current rates of production, distribution and consumption.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe main customers of the NCB are identified in the board's annual report and accounts for 1982–83. Stocks held by customers will vary according to the circumstances of each customer. In the light of the uncertainty about current rates of production, disposal and consumption, the estimates requested would lie within too broad a range to be useful.
§ Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for Energy, if, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East, Official Report, 2 April, column 640, he will explain the basis of calculation of the cost of over £100 million per annum in interest charges to fund coal stocks at the pitheads.
8W
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe costs arising from the National Coal Board's holdings of pithead coal stocks are a commercial matter for the board. The figure of over £100 million is one used by the NCB itself.