§ Mr. LeightonTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what would be the cost to the balance of payments of closing the Scottish coalfield and importing the equivalent amount of coal.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerI have been asked to reply.
Colliery closures are a matter for British Coal. But the best defence against the situation described is for the industry to produce reliable supplies of coal at prices which are competitive on the world market.