§ 26. Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the current stocks of British coal; and what has been the cost in the last 12 months to the National Coal Board of maintaining stocks above market requirements.
§ Mr. John MooreUndistributed stocks of coal at the end of May were 23.8 million tonnes. I am informed by the National Coal Board that the cost to its revenue account of putting coal to stock rather than selling it is some £6 to £7 per tonne, including interest in the first year. The subsequent cost of maintaining coal in stock would depend on the length of time for which stocks are held, and the interest charges for financing them.
§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the total coal stocks, distributed and at pitheads, at the latest date.
§ Mr. John MooreThe latest available information is as follows:
Stocks of coal at end of May, 1982: Great Britain Million tonnes Distributed 22.2 Undistributed: At collieries 19.3 At opencast sites 4.5 Total stocks 46.0