§ Mr. Laurance Reedasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of the coal strike on the availability of solid smokeless fuel supplies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyI refer the hon. Member to my hon. Friend the Minister for Industry's statement of 9th January, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. At the start of the coal strike, total stocks of solid smokeless fuels were equivalent to about five weeks' normal winter consumption. The stocks level varies from district to district.