§ 56. Mr. Thorpeasked the Minister of Power if he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to the National Coal Board to take steps to obtain the highest price possible for the sale of their surplus equipment.
§ Mr. Frederick LeeNo. I understand that it is already the normal practice of the Board to obtain the highest possible prices.
§ 59. Mr. Thorpeasked the Minister of Power what proportion of the £400 millions capital debt incurred by the National Coal Board and now written off by the Government was accounted for by the purchase by the Board of capital equipment and machinery subsequently sold by the Board substantially below its capital cost or written down value.
§ Mr. Frederick LeeNone. I understand that the proceeds of sale of surplus capital equipment and machinery overall have been at least equal to the written down value.