§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assumption he has made of the level of coal prices for the next 30 years, in considering the construction of a new power station in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. ViggersCompletion of the Kilroot power station as a coal-fired or dual coal/oil-fired station is one of the options for future generating capacity in Northern Ireland currently being considered and estimates of coal price movements over the next 30 years will be an important factor in determining the best option. The evaluation will be made on the basis of the best forecasts available to my officials, and the assembly of these forecasts is continuing.