§ Mr. G. Elfed Daviesasked the Minister of Power if he will take steps to set for the National Coal Board a target of 135 million tons of coal sales in 1975.
§ Mr. MasonI do not set rigid targets for coal or any other fuel, and do not intend to do so. The White Paper gave forecasts of demand, related to specific assumptions, as a basis for planning, and 55W these I keep under very close examination. No investment decisions being taken now will prevent the achievement of an output of 135 millions tons a year in 1975 if there should be the demand for that tonnage. The level of coal demand in the mid-1970s will primarily depend upon the success of the industry's own efforts to reduce costs through increased productivity, and the higher the level of coal sales which can be achieved in this way the better I and the Government will be pleased.