§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give the tonnage, price and origin of coal imported into the United Kingdom which could not have been mined in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. John MooreCoal imports in 1980 comprised 0.3 million tonnes of anthracite, 2.4 million tonnes of coking coal and 4.6 million tonnes of steam coal. The National Coal Board was unable to meet United Kingdom demand for anthracite in that year and also could not match some coking coal imports on quality requirements, although price was also an important factor here. Imports of steam coal, which were mainly delivered direct to Thames-side powers stations by sea, could have been replaced entirely by Coal Board supplies but only if prices had been cut substantially.