§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the extent of current National Coal Board financial liability to central Government; what repayments in respect of this debt have been made over the last five years and principal, respectively; and what is the extent of the current National Coal Board debt, identified by class of creditor.
§ Mr. EadieI have been asked to reply:
At 30th June 1975, the latest convenient date, the National Coal Board's financial liability to central Government was £373–3 million. Repayments of principal of this debt and payments of interest over the last five financial years were:
Repayments during year Payment of interest Principal of loans outstanding at end of year £m. £m. £m. 1970–71 50.2 36.2 675.1 1971–72 133.1 36.7 666.9 1972–73 37.6 39.9 839.6 1973–74 29.3 26.2 428.5 1974–75 27.0 27.1 407.4 At 30th June 1975 the National Coal Board debt was £514.9 million and the classes of creditors were:
£m. Loans from Secretary of State … … 373.3 British clearing banks … … 3.6 Overseas loans … … 138.0 514.9