§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the current level of coal stocks at power stations; what is the monetary value of these stocks; what is the cost to the National Coal Board in abortive interest payments on this unused capacity; and what is the financial cost to Her Majesty's Government in assisting the energy supply industries in this regard.
§ Mr. EadieThe level of coal stocks at power stations at the latest available date, 26th June, was 18.70 million tonnes —16.85 million tonnes held by CEGB and 1.85 million tonnes by SSEB. At current delivered prices the value of these stocks is about £330 million.
The NCB has arrangements with the CEGB and SSEB under which the NCB finances stocks of coal at power stations above certain levels. At the end of 197576, the stocks financed by NCB at power stations totalled about 4 million tonnes valued at £75 million. The annual interest cost to the NCB on this quantity of stocks will be about £7.8 millions.
The Government are currently considering the question of financial assistance to the NCB towards the cost of stocking in 1976–77.