§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Environment by how much the National Coal Board's income is expected to fall short of costs in a full year following the recent increases in prices and wages.
§ Mr. EadieI have been asked to reply. As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer told the House on 26th March, the NCB is to introduce further price increases in the autumn. These should have the effect of reducing financial support to the NCB to not much more than an estimated £50 million in the coming year, mainly for the social costs of past closures.