§ Mr. Macfarlaneasked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps his Department is taking to secure markets in the European Community and elsewhere for British coal.
§ Mr. EadieThis is primarily a matter for the National Coal Board, and though our output, for various reasons, tends to be more expensive than coal from the major world exporters, the Board is doing everything possible to maintain and expand its export outlets. My right hon. Friend and I have been giving it such help and encouragement as we can and, in particular, have been supporting proposals in the Community which would help enlarge the markets and increase intra-Community trade in steam coal, which we mainly produce.