§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy how much coking coal was produced in the United Kingdom in the past year; and what is the extent of the demand for this product by the steel industry.
§ Mr. VarleyCoking coal is not differentiated in coal production statistics, but it is estimated that about 20 million tons were produced by the NCB in 1973 out of a total consumption of coking coal of 21 million tons. The BSC's best estimate—the Interim Report of the Coal Industry Examination—is that its consumption may increase from 16 million to 18 million tons by 1981 with continued heavy dependence on indigenous supplies.