HC Deb 07 November 1975 vol 899 c336W
Mr. George Rodgers

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the anticipated level of coal importation during the next five years.

Mr. Benn

Imports and exports of coal are subject to a wide range of internal and external factors and are very erratic from year to year. Thus in the past five years imports of coal have fluctuated from well under 1 million to nearly 5 million tons. In 1974 the figure was about 3.5 million tons, and a slightly higher total is likely this year. It is impossible to make a firm forecast up to five years ahead, but as current contracts expire I expect a marked decline.

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