§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy, of the new coal mining capacity envisaged in the "Plan for Coal" in 1974 for the year 1985, what has been attained to date (a) of the 9 million tonnes from extending the lives of pits, (b) of the 13 million tonnes from major schemes and existing pits and (c) of the 20 million tonnes from new collieries.
§ Mr. John MooreI am informed by the National Coal Board that "Plan for Coal" projects completed or under construction at the end of September 1982 would when152W fully operational produce 13.8 million tonnes of capacity at new mines and 29.0 million tonnes of capacity at existing mines.
§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will estimate the effect the substitution in Northern Ireland of natural gas from the Republic of Ireland for coal from British coalfields will have on the United Kingdom coal industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MooreNegotiations with the Republic of Ireland concerning supplies of natural gas are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. I understand that negotiations are still continuing.
The market for United Kingdom coal in Northern Ireland will depend on the NCB's competitive position there.