§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the number of times deficits of the National Coal Board have been written off since 1946, giving dates in each case and the amount involved, the total amount of funds made available to the industry and the amount repaid and the total tax paid by the board during the past 28 years.
§ Mr. EadieThe information is as follows (as at 31st March 1973):
1. Deficits have been written off on four occasions:
Amount (£ million) 27th March 1965 90.8 26th March 1966 24.8 25th March 1972 100.0 31st March 1973 174.6 2. Funds made available between 1st January 1947 and 31st March 1973 totalled £1,574.7 million, consisting of assets vested in the board and loans from the Secretary of State. Repayments over the same period amounted to £431.4 million.
3. Total tax paid up to 31st March 1973, as shown in the Annual Report and Accounts, was £9.8 million.