HC Deb 25 March 1974 vol 871 c3W
Mr. Cyril Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will take measures designed to ensure that there will be four months' supply of coal in stock by November 1974.

Mr. Eadie

The balance between coal availability and consumption is not expected to be sufficient to enable total coal stocks to reach the equivalent of four winter months' supply by November 1974. But my Department will encourage adequate stockpiling and the NCB is doing everything possible to increase supply for both consumption and rebuilding stocks.