§ Mr. Macleanasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he is satisfied that deficit grant payments to the National Coal Board in respect of 1983–84 should cover in full the board's proposed provision for subsidence damage of £247 million.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe reserves on the board's balance sheet were already negative at the start of the financial year 1983–84. In current circumstances, I am satisfied that there is no alternative but to meet in full the board's deficit on revenue account in 1983–84.
The board's results for the year are still subject to audit. I am concerned about the exceptionally heavy provisions for subsidence damage which the board has found it necessary to make in 1983–84, and I shall pay particular attention to the views of the auditors, both internal and external, on them. Deficit grant will not be paid in full in respect of these provisions until I am satisfied on this score.