§ Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the aggregate cost to public funds of subsidies paid to the National Coal Board and its customers to enable the National Coal Board to dispose of coal at prices below the cost of producing it during the last financial year; and what is his latest estimate of the corresponding figure for the current financial year.
§ Mr. MooreGrants totalling £25.7 million were paid to the National Coal Board in 1978–79 to assist the sale of coal to the Central Electricity Generating Board and the South of Scotland Electricity Board. The Department of Energy's Estimates for 1979–80 include £8.4 million to support the sale of coal to the South of Scotland Electricity Board.