§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the reserves of economically workable coal accessible to currently working collieries in Scotland, 158W and of unproven reserves and virgin coalfields in Scotland.
§ Mr. EmeryThe National Coal Board estimates the reserves accessible to currently working collieries in Scotland at about 250 million tons. Unproven reserves and virgin coalfields may contain another 300 million tons.
§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what studies are being made by the Scottish Development Department about the effects on the coal industry of the discovery of North Sea oil and gas.
§ Mr. EmeryMy Department makes regular reviews of the commercial prospects for all fuels produced or used in the United Kingdom. In this it works closely with a number of other Departments, including the Scottish Development Department.