§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he is satisfied that British industries which supply machinery and services to the coal mining industry will get a major share of the market when Selby and other new coalfields in England start their development.
§ Mr. EadieI have been asked to reply.
Yes. The National Coal Board's policy is to purchase from abroad only when there is no suitable alternative available within the United Kingdom. The Board's purchases from abroad form only a small percentage of its total purchases. There is no reason to believe that the provision of equipment or services for Selby or other new mines will follow a different pattern.