HC Deb 03 April 1979 vol 965 c625W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the aggregate cost to public funds of enabling the Central Electricity Generating Board to resell Australian coal to continental customers below the purchase price.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the aggregate cost to public funds of subsidies paid to the Central Electricity Generating Board to enable it to resell Australian coal to continental customers below the purchase price.

Mr. Eadie

The prices paid by the CEGB and obtained for the purchase and resale of coal under its Australian contracts are commercially confidential. However, the loss on the resale was included in the overall provision for the assisted coalburn scheme which terminated at the beginning of March. The total cost of the scheme to the Government was some £15 million.