§ Mr. Woofasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will issue a general direction to the Central Electricity Generating Board to allocate at least half of its future building programme to coal-fired stations, thus helping to maintain employment in the coal-mining industry.
§ Mr. RidleyNo. A policy having no regard to relative fuel price estimates would be inappropriate. In 1970–71 coal accounted for 71.5 per cent. of the primary fuel used by the C.E.G.B. and the board will need considerable quantities of coal for as far ahead as can be foreseen.