§ Mr. Franksasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether any restraints are placed by Her Majesty's Government on the commercial freedom of the Central Electricity Generating Board to import coal from abroad.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe CEGB has in recent years agreed to the Government's request to limit its imports and has in return received compensation from the Government. Last year the CEGB and the National Coal Board agreed that at least 95 per cent. of the CEGB's estimated annual coal requirement should be supplied by the NCB. In line with this agreement the CEGB expects to continue to limit the amount of coal it imports.