HC Deb 26 January 1981 vol 997 cc277-8W
23. Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the actual volume of coal consumption in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and if he will give his estimate of the expected volume of consumption in 1981.

Mr. John Moore

Information on coal consumption in the United Kingdom is published on my Department's monthly statistical bulletin "Energy Trends", copies of which are available in the Library of the House. For convenience, the latest information is as follows:

Inland coal consumption (million tonnes)
1976 123.6
1977 124.0
1978 120.5
1979 129.4
1980
(provisional) 123.5

As indicated in my reply to the hon. Member on 17 December 1980, the level of consumption in 1981 will depend on a number of factors, including the market conditions prevailing during the year.