Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy what proposals he has for reducing the present stocks of coal; what is the annual cost of maintaining stocks; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Giles ShawCoal stocks held by the National Coal Board on 26 March this year amounted to 26.1 million tonnes, involving a financing cost over 12 months of some £100 million. Achieving the right balance between production, sales and stocks is a commercial matter for the board and its customers.
Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy how much United Kingdom coal is sold on the Continent; what tonnage of European Community coal is traded across national boundaries; and what is the total of European Community imports from third countries.
Mr. Giles ShawThe United Kingdom exported 6 million tonnes of coal to other countries within the European Community in 1982. In the same year Community countries imported in total 16 million tonnes of coal from within the Community and 72 million tonnes from third countries.