§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions he has had with the chairman of the National Coal Board over the implications to the British mining industry of imports into the United Kingdom of coal from Australia.
§ Mr. John MooreI am in regular discussion with the chairman of the NCB on this as well as many other matters and will make a statement when appropriate.
§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the latest estimate of coal stocks held by the National Coal Board, each area electricity board, the Central Electricity Generating Board and others, respectively; and if he will make a statement.
859W
§ Mr. John MooreCoal stock statistics are published in the Department's monthly statistical bulletinEnergy Trends.
Distributed and undistributed stocks of coal in Great Britain on 7 July were as follows:
Million tonnes Distributed— Power Stations 13.44 Coke Ovens 1.89 Miscellaneous 0.18 Total* 15.51 Undistributed (NCB) 12.26 27.77 *Excluding stocks held by merchants and industrial and domestic consumers. The overall prospect is that there should be sufficient coal to meet demand this winter.
§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions have taken place between his Department and interested parties, including the National Coal Board, the Electricity Council, the Central Electricity Generating Board, and others, over imports of coal, including imports from China; whether he has approved such imports; and what action he is taking to ensure that United Kingdom interests do not become increasingly dependent on imported coal.
§ Mr. John MooreSome import contracts were made under the previous Administration, and the NCB accepts that in present circumstances there is a need for some additional imports of steam coal temporarily for supply reasons. For the longer term the Government support the NCB's intention of meeting home requirements, so far as possible, with efficient modern capacity, but will continue to keep imports under observation in the normal way.
§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will take steps to increase investment in the indigenous coal industry, in view of the orders for coal from other countries by the electricity boards.
860W
§ Mr. John MooreThe National Coal Board is continuing with substantial investment under "Plan for Coal". The level of production of coal depends on other factors as well as investment. Imports by the electricity boards in 1979–80 will represent only a very small proportion of the National Coal Board's planned deliveries to power stations in Great Britain.
§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what action has been taken by his Department and the National Coal Board to secure contracts from the Electricity Supply Board of the Republic of Ireland to supply coal-fired power stations, including the new station at Moneypoint, Co. Clare; and if he will make a statement;
(2) how much coal from Great Britain was exported to the Republic of Ireland in each of the last five years to date; what discussions have taken place between representatives of his Department and representatives of the Republic of Ireland, including representatives of its Electricity Supply Board, over the supply of British coal to the Republic of Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MooreFollowing are details of United Kingdom coal exported to the Irish Republic over the last five years:
(000 tonnes) 1974 113 1975 179 1976 95 1977 165 1978 202 The National Coal Board is in close contact with the Electricity Supply Board of the Republic of Ireland about possible future supplies for power stations, which could include Moneypoint, Co. Clare.
§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the countries from which coal has been imported into the United Kingdom during the last five years to date, the total amounts imported annually from each country and the main importers; and what consultations have taken place with these importers to secure alternative United Kingdom supplies.
861W
§ Mr. John MooreThe information is as follows:
(000 tonnes) 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 European Economic Community— Belgium 2 6 75 9 17 Federa1 Republic of Germany 70 41 168 204 260 France 2 — 2 10 1 Irish Republic 9 42 7 38 53 Netherlands 22 36 125 14 2 Total 105 125 377 275 333 Australia 1,003 2,629 1,471 1,344 1,025 Canada 47 365 — — — German Democratic Republic — — — 1 — North Vietnam — 34 30 — — Poland 686 96 129 179 416 Republic of South Africa 10 34 17 11 26 Soviet Union — 2 40 165 422 United States of America 1,675 1,797 757 443 24 Total imports 3,541 5,083 2,837 2,439 2,352 Source: HM Customs and Excise and Department of Energy Digest of Statistics.
The main importers at present are the CEGB and the BSC, which entered into contracts some time ago. Additional supplies of steam coal are currently being imported by the electricity authorities in consultation with the NCB to meet temporary shortages.
§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Energy what agreements have been made between his Department and the Chinese Government concerning imports of Chinese coal into the United Kingdom; what consultations have taken place between his Department and interested United Kingdom parties over such imports; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MooreThere are no agreements on coal between my Department and the Chinese Government None of the imports planned by the Central Electricity Generating Board is from China. Questions on Scottish electricity boards are for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.