§ Mr. Kinnockasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what is the average cost per ton of British coal at the pithead; and what is the average retail cost per ton of British coal; (2) what is the average retail cost per ton to industry and domestic consumers of coal imported to the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Ridley:The average cost per ton of British coal at the pithead is published in the Annual Reports and Accounts of the National Coal Board. Prices to consumers are matters for the trade and will depend on many factors 285W including the competition between imported and indigenous coal and other forms of energy.