§ Mr. Dodsworthasked the Secretary of State for Energy what were the national, coal stock figures at the latest available 285W date; what they were six months, one year, 18 months, two years, 30 months and three years ago; and what are his projections for the next three years.
§ Mr. EadieTotal coal stocks' at end of period were as follows:
million tons 1977 February 27.8 1976 August 33.2 February 29.3 1975 August 26.9 February 21.1 1974 August 21.1 February—Not available (miners' strike) (1) Excluding distributed stocks held in merchants' yards and industrial premises.
It is difficult to give any reliable estimate of coal stocks for the next three years, as the stock levels depend on the demand and supply balance. However, on present indications exceptional stock movements in the next few years appear to be unlikely.