HC Deb 15 November 1978 vol 958 cc220-1W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what he estimates will be the cost of grants for stocking coal and coke in 1978–79;

(2) what he estimates will be the coking coal subsidy for 1978–79;

(3) what he estimates will be the amount allocated by the Government to assist coal burn in the financial year 1978–79.

Mr. Eadie

Government grants to the NCB in 1978–79 for the stocking of coal, the stocking of coke and for coking coal production subsidy, are expected to total respectively £20.5 million, £16 million and £3.6 million at outturn prices. Furthermore, the Government has allocated £29.8 million to cover the cost of assisting coal-burn in England and Wales and also in Scotland in 1978–79.