§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the total amount of capital investment planned for the coal industry over the next 10 years; 230W and what amounts and proportions of that investment are provisionally earmarked for Scotland, England and Wales, respectively.
§ Mr. EadieIn the light of the coal industry examination, the Government have endorsed the National Coal Board's Plan for Coal as a general strategy. The plan envisages investment in deep-mined production over the next 10 years of some £600 million in addition to continuing annual requirements of £70 million to £80 million.
It is too early for specific amounts to earmarked for particular geographical areas. However, Plan for Coal investment already approved includes projects in all the main coalfields including Scotland and South Wales.