§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy, of the additional coal the electricity generating boards have agreed to take in 1978, what is likely (a) to be burnt and (b) stockpiled at power stations for future use.
§ Mr. EadieThe proportion of this coal to be burned and to be put to stock by the CEGB will depend on demand for electricity and the comparative prices of fuels. The electricity boards in Scotland are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the electricity generating boards are expected to take 74 million tons of power station coal in 1978, regardless of movements in the price of coal.
§ Mr. EadieThe Central Electricity Generating Board expects to take about 72 million to 73 million tonnes of NCB coal during the financial year 1978–79. This estimate is based on the understanding that the price of NCB coal will be 463W held until the end of March 1979 and that sales of electricity will be as forecast. The electricity boards in Scotland are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.