HC Deb 07 November 1983 vol 48 c13W
26. Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will seek to ensure that the British coal industry continues to maintain annual production in excess of 100 million tonnes.

Mr. Giles Shaw

The level of NCB coal production is a matter for the board to decide, taking into account the objective set by Government that it should aim at that share of the market which it can profitably sustain in competition with other fuels, and should not plan on any continuing tranche of sales which will not be profitable.