§ Mr. Eadieasked the Minister of Power what would be the cost of imported energy equivalent to the coal produced in the United Kingdom and in Scotland, respectively, each year.
§ Mr. FreesonOn the assumption that fuel oil could be imported to give the thermal equivalent of the coal produced in the United Kingdom in 1966, the extra imports would be worth about £540 million as valued in the Trade and Navigation Accounts. About £48 million of this figure would be attributed to Scottish coal production.
The cost to the Balance of Payments would be less to the extent that U.K. resources were employed in providing the supplies.