Mr. Andy StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on British Coal's external financing limit for 1987–88.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerBritish Coal's external financing limit for 1987–88 has been increased from £842 million to £920 million to reflect higher redundancy costs. This reflects a higher rate of colliery closure and manpower rundown than originally envisaged. These costs will increase the corporation's deficit. A Supplementary Estimate to enable the Government to contribute towards the additional deficit and restructuring costs will be submitted to Parliament shortly.
The increase in external financing limit is being charged to the reserve and will not add to the public expenditure planning total.
§ Mr. IngramTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will give the expenditure plans for British Coal for the purchase of mining machinery for each of the next three years;
(2) if he will give the breakdown of mining machinery purchased from (a) British and (b) foreign companies by British Coal in each of the last three years and in the current year and, where known, planned to be purchased over each of the next three years.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThis is a management matter for British Coal. I am asking the chairman to write to the hon. Member.