§ Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied that stocks of smokeless fuel will be adequate to meet winter demand; what are the stocks now available compared with the same period last year; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EmeryBoth the trade and the National Coal Board expect no difficulty in meeting demand this winter. The latest available figures for stocks at the end of September this year and last year are:
Solid Smokeless Fuel—Stocks (Thousand tons) 1972 1971 Merchants 963 978 Producers 1,034 937 Total 1,997 1,915