§ Mr. StevensTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list costs per tonne of deep-mined output for British Coal over the last 12 months: what equivalent information he has for(a) West Germany and (b) France; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerIn 1987–88 the cost of deep mined output by British Coal was £41.90 per tonne. The latest consistent international comparisons are for 1986 and cover all mining costs, including interest. They show United Kingdom costs at £52 per tonne, compared with £79 for West Germany and £68 for France.