§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether in their costings for imported as opposed to nationally produced coal, as well as the benefits to British industry of possibly lower electricity prices, they include the costs to the taxpayer of unemployment benefit and of increased demands made on the medical and social services by the unemployed and their families and, if they do not, whether they will now make the necessary calculations, inform the House of the results and, where appropriate, adjust their policies.
The Earl of CaithnessThere is no means of accurately making the costings suggested. Any unfair preference for domestic over imported coal, even if consistent with our obligations under GATT, would have implications for costs and hence competitiveness and employment in other industries. The net effect on demands on the taxpayer such as unemployment benefit is therefore impossible to assess accurately.