§ 11. Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the steps he has been taking over the past 12 months to obtain an increase in the exports of coal from the United Kingdom to the other Common Market countries.
§ Mr. EadieThe main responsibility for exports of coal lies with the National Coal Board and we have consistently encouraged it in the strenuous efforts it has been making and have sought through bilateral contacts to identify and maintain potential market opportunities. Specifically, in the European Community we have strongly supported the Commission's proposals for financial assistance towards the provision of more coal-burning capacity in power stations and have advocated restraint of coal imports from third countries. But we must accept that there are limits to what can be achieved, especially bearing in mind the present low price of steam coal on the world market.