§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will indicate when the National Coal Board is likely to take over the ownership of the fluidised bed combustion facility at Grimethorpe, Barnsley; what further work needs to be done; and what are the prospects of continuing financial support for this project.
§ Mr. Patchettasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) further to his answer of 18 January, Official Report, which organisations other than German and Japanese ones have been approached as potential partners with the National Coal Board in continuation of the experimentation in the fluidised bed combustion facility at Grimethorpe.
(2) when the National Coal Board is likely to take over the fluidised bed combustion facility at Grimethorpe, Barnsley.
§ Mr. Giles ShawIt is expected that plant operations under the IEA programme will cease around the end of April this year and that the facility will be handed over to the National Coal Board around the end of July. The questions on further work and financial support are for the National Coal Board and I am asking the chairman to reply.