§ Mr. Woofasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make an estimate of the cost of the present objective of improving the efficiency and safety of coal mining operations, research and development.
§ Mr. EadieThe "Mining Research and Development Establishment" of the National Coal Board assists with objectives of research into basic coal mining problems, development of new techniques and equipment and improvement of performance, safety and reliability of equipment and materials. These objectives are all concerned with the efficiency and safety of coal mining operations. The bulk of the effort of the Safety in Mines Research Establishment of the Health and Safety Executive is devoted to improving health and safety in coal mining. The total effort being applied by these establishments in the respective fields is about £16 million.
§ Mr. Woofasked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the number of deep 826W bore holes drilling to discover coal bearing seams in 1976–77; and at what costs.
§ Mr. EadieDuring the financial year 1976–77 the NCB plans to drill 158 deep boreholes—that is, deeper than 2,000 ft. The estimated cost of this programme is £10.8 million at October 1976 prices. To date, 114 of these have been completed.