HC Deb 21 March 1977 vol 928 c363W
Mr. Rost

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on participation by the National Coal Board in the exploration for coking coal in Queensland, Australia; what is the percentage participation by the National Coal Board; what is the estimated National Coal Board investment; how it will be financed; and what are the marketing arrangements.

Mr. Eadie

This is primarily a matter for the National Coal Board. However, the board tells me that in return for providing technical services it has a 10 per cent. interest in Capricorn Developments Ltd., which has been formed to undertake an exploration project at German Creek, in Queensland. As the present contract is for exploration only questions of production development or of marketing have not yet arisen.