Mr. A. Cecil Walkerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action is being taken to protect the Northern Ireland economy against damage done by those preventing the landing and distribution of coal in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. ButlerI have received no information that, as a result of the miners' dispute, customers in the domestic, commercial or industrial sectors have suffered shortage of fuel.
The supply of coal to Belfast, West power station has been interrupted by the refusal of certain workers to deal with incoming cargoes. However, the Northern Ireland Electricity Service has compensated by the increased use of oil-fired generation.