§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the capital indebtedness of the National Coal Board and what is the annual amount paid in interest; and if he will give permission to the National Coal Board to retain the capital raised by Her Majesty's Government's enforced sale of the board's non-coal producing assets.
§ Mr. RidleyAt the end of the National Coal Board's last financial year the Board's capital indebtedness, apart from bank overdrafts, was £667.8, consisting of net loans from the Government. The interest payable on Government loans during the year was £37.0 555W million. On the second point, I cannot anticipate the outcome of the review of non-colliery activities for which the Coal Bill provides.