Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Energy how much boiler fuel coal was imported into the United Kingdom in the last year for which figures are available; and whether the price of imported coal was, on average, higher than the price of similar coal produced in the United Kingdom.
Mr. Giles ShawIn the financial year 1982–83 about 1 million tonnes of steam coal was imported into the United Kingdom. Most of this coal was destined for use in power stations. Market conditions over that period resulted in the average price of the imported coal being rather lower than that of similar coal produced in the United Kingdom. This situation will vary from one period to another.