§ Mr. Albert Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Energy what extra costs of stocking coal are being borne by the taxpayer; and, in view of extra stocking of coal, if he will take steps to slow down opencast workings to avoid the energy industries being in the same financial position as the steel industry.
§ Mr. EadieGovernment assistance to the National Coal Board in respect of stocking coal over the past four years has been:
million 1974–75 1.2 1975–76 — 1976–77 11.1 1977–78 10.4 The Government have yet to take a decision on the level of coal stocking aid for 1978–79
Opencast coal is usually of high quality and is often needed for blending to improve the quality of deep-mined coal. Since it is cheap to produce, it helps to maintain the competitiveness of coal; and it meets about half of our requirements for anthracite, thereby saving imports.