§ Mr. Eadieasked the Minister of Power using the same criterion rate of return that he uses in respect of the gas and electricity utilities, what percentage of gross rate of return he expects from the National Coal Board operations.
§ Mr. FreesonThe National Coal Board's financial objective referred to in the reply given to my hon. Friend on 24th January represents a gross return of about 14 per cent. on net assets currently employed by the Board. Expressed as percentages of assets employed, the objectives of the coal, gas and electricity industries reflect different considerations including the different life of assets which, in turn, affects the rates of depreciation which each industry has to provide.—[Vol. 739,c.234.]