§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Energy with whom any new coal import contracts have been entered into during the course of the last six months; for how long they last; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Giles ShawDetails of coal import contracts have not been required by the Government since coal imports were put on open general licence in 1970.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Energy what tonnages of coking coal, anthracite and power station coal were imported into the United Kingdom in 1983; and what are the estimates of tonnages for 1984.
§ Mr. Giles ShawIn 1983 the tonnages were as follows:
Million tonnes Anthracite 0.7 Coking coal 2.4 Steam coal (including supplies for power stations) 1.3 Total 4.4 Over 95 per cent. of United Kingdom coal requirements were supplied by indigenous coal in 1983 and a similarly high percentage is likely to be maintained in 1984.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Energy what consultations he has had with the National Coal Board, the Central Electricity Generating Board and the British Steel Corporation, respectively, in determining his policy on coal imports.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe question of coal imports has been given careful consideration in discussions with the National Coal Board and Central Electricity Generating Board. Since 1981 coal imports by the generating board have been limited and only about 1 per cent. of its current annual requirement for coal is imported. Consultations with the British Steel Corporation are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.