asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of current difficulties in the coal industry, he is satisfied that coal stocks are sufficient for the country's needs, no matter how severe the coming winter; and if he will make a statement.

Undistributed stocks at 11 million tons are higher than last year. Stocks in consumers' hands are at the highest autumn level since the war and this should secure supplies if severe weather makes for difficulty in transporting supplies from the pits.