§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will take steps to ensure a long-term supply contract for Yorkshire coal between British Coal and the Central Electricity Generating Board for export and to other outlets; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerI have already made it clear that, while the new generating companies are likely to wish to buy a significant proportion of their coal needs on a contractual basis, the proportion of coal sold on contract and the length of the contracts is a matter for commercial negotiation, as in other sectors of the coal market.