§ Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the effect to date of the current strikes in the coalfields upon the supply of coal to industry; and what are the prospects for the future.
§ Mr. Giles ShawI understand that some local shortages of certain types of coal have occurred, but that the NCB and the coal trade are in general continuing to meet demand. The CEGB estimates that coal stocks at power stations should be sufficient to enable the electricity industry to meet demand at least until the autumn.
It is disappointing for future demand for coal that applications for grants for switching to coal under the coal firing scheme have fallen to a very low level: only two applications were received in March.