§ Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of the amount of public money which will be made available during 1981-82 to the National Coal Board.
§ Mr. John MooreThe National Coal Board's external financing limit of £882 million for 1981–82, which my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the250W Exchequer announced on 24 November, will be increased to £886 million to take account of a grant of £4 million, for which I shall be seeking provision in the 1981-82 Estimates, towards the cost of payments which the board expects to make in 1981–82 in increased compensation under the pneumoconiosis compensation scheme. Within the board's EFL, I also propose to make available grants which I estimate to total around £250 million in 1981–82.