§ Mr. Ian Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure that, in the period immediately following the publication of the report of the Wilberforce Inquiry, irrespective of the result of that inquiry and its immediate effect on the present industrial dispute, substantial and sufficient supplies of imported coal and oil fuel shall be made available to the electricity generating industry and any other industries requiring urgent supplies of fuel not immediately available from domestic sources.
§ Mr. John DaviesI refer my hon. Friend to my statement on Monday, 21st February. I am in close touch with the electricity supply and other industries, and also with the National Coal Board and the coal trade to ensure that urgent steps are taken to restore coal supplies quickly. Every effort is being made by those concerned to relieve the shortfall in supplies by imports. The oil companies are well on the way to restoring normal oil supplies to power stations.