§ 55. Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the accumulated deficit of the National Coal Board; what proposals he has to keep it statutorily solvent; and, in view, of the losses incurred because of the national miners' strike, added to the last financial years' cumulative deficit, whether he will consider seeking to reduce its capital debt in his preparations for further temporary borrowings; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir J. EdenIt is too early to make a complete assessment of the position, but I have under active consideration the steps that may need to be taken.