§ Mr. Formanasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will set out the Government's plans for the creation of new markets for United Kingdom-produced coal, indicating the various time-scales within which it is proposed to achieve the objectives concerned and the extent to which it is proposed to seek financial or other forms of support from the EEC; and if he will provide comparable information for each of the other eight member States of the EEC.
§ Mr. EadieIt is primarily for the National Coal Board to find markets for 203W the coal it produces and in this it has our full support and encouragement. In particular we have tabled a Bill which will enable the coal-burning power station Drax B to be constructed earlier than would otherwise be the case, we are considering proposals for a 2,000 MW cross-channel electricity link which would permit the export of coal-generated electricity, and we are supporting proposals for a Community scheme to promote additional intra-Community sales of power station coal and other Commission initiatives. In the much longer term new demands can be expected from the transport fuel, chemical feedstock and substitute natural gas markets, and we shall shortly be publishing a report from the tripartite working party on R & D recommending the development of technologies related to these markets. It is not for me to comment on action which the Community Governments may be taking.