§ Mr. Richard Shepherdasked the Secretary of State for Energy, what was the cost per ton of producing coal from deep mines in the most recent annual period 743W for which figures are available in Scotland, England and Wales respectively; what were the comparable costs per ton for coal produced by the National Coal Board opencast executive; and if he has comparable figures for each of the previous five years.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe National Coal Board's accounts do not show costs separately for deep mined and opencast production, or for England and Wales. However combined figures for deep mined and opencast for Scotland, England including North Wales, and South Wales are available and are given in the following table for the latest available year and for the preceding four years. Comparable information for 1972–73 is not available.
NCB DEEP MINES AND OPENCAST COAL—COST PER SALEABLE TONNE (£) Scotland England including North Wales South Wales 1973–74 9.59 9.04 13.71 1974–75 11.71 11.18 17.44 1975–76 15.50 15.01 24.17 1976–77 18.14 17.60 28.95 1977–78 21.33 20.26 32.90