National Coal Board (Surplus and Deficit Per Head of Population)

HC Deb 21 November 1967 vol 754 cc304-5W

Mr. MacArthur

asked the Minister of Power (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of making the calculation of dividing the accumulated surplus or deficit of the National Coal Board in Scotland, and England and Wales, respectively, by the total population in each of those countries;

(2) what is the total accumulated surplus or deficit of the National Coal Board per head of population in Scotland, and England and Wales, respectively, excluding those activities not accounted for on a divisional basis.

Mr. Freeson

Calculations on the basis first requested would have involved a disproportionate amount of work, the cost of which was not estimated.

Disregarding activities and charges which were not accounted for on a Divisional basis, the accumulated results for the Scottish Division represent a deficit of £30 17s. 4d. per head of population in Scotland. The corresponding figure for England and Wales is a surplus of 5s. 4d.