HC Deb 23 December 1976 vol 923 cc292-3W
Mr. Gordon Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the coal output in tons per man at the latest date for which figures are available in the following countries: Great Britain, France, West Germany, Holland, Belgium, Poland and Spain.

Mr. Eadie

Average annual output of hard coal per man in 1975, the latest period for which comparable figures for all the countries listed are available, was:—

Tons
United Kingdom 473
France 340
West Germany 672
Belgium 409
Poland 813
Spain 227

Hard coal production in Holland ceased in 1974.

Source: Annual Bulletin of Coal Statistics for Europe, 1975, Economic Commission for Europe.

Mr. Gordon Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of the gross national energy production is represented by coal in each of the following countries: Great Britain, France, West Germany, Holland, Belgium, Poland and Spain.

Mr. Eadie

The percentage of total primary energy production represented by hard coal in 1974, the latest year for which figures for all the countries listed are available, are:

Per cent
United Kingdom 68
France 51
West Germany 55
Holland* 1
Belgium 97
Poland 89
Spain 54
* Hard coal production in Holland ceased in 1974.

Source: World Energy Supplies 1950–1974. United Nations, Statistical Papers Series J No. 19.

Mr. Gordon Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the current level of Government subsidy per ton of coal in each of the following countries: Great Britain, France, West Germany, Holland, Belgium, Poland and Spain.

Mr. Eadie

The following figures, issued by the Commission of the European

£ per ton
West Germany Belgium France Great Britain
Ruhr Aachen Saar Nord Lorraine South Wales Scotland North Yorkshire
Anthracite 49.39 50.63 44.00 34.55
Low volatile coal 47.58 46.23 49.16 29.42
Medium volatile coal 37.66 40.82
High volatile coal 30–50mm. 35.06 39.69 35.95 27.14 26.34 22.28
Coking coal 37.32 37.77 40.59 36.69 36.95 39.04 33.60 27.34 25.35

Source: Coal Prices No.21.15th October 1976.

Comparable price for Poland and Spain are not available. Holland no produce coal.