asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will indicate his plans for the future supply of coal to Northern Ireland.

The supply of coal to Northern Ireland is essentially a commercial matter between the Northern Ireland importers and the coal producers. I am, nevertheless, concerned that the Province's requirements for coal are met as efficiently as possible and close contact to this end is maintained between my officials, the importers and the National Coal Board. I welcome the recently announced agreement between the National Coal Board and the British Transport Docks Board on investment in new facilities at Garston to handle coal supplies to the Province.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had with the National Coal Board regarding coal markets in Northern Ireland.

I have recently written to the chairman of the National Coal Board offering discussions on the coal situation in Northern Ireland. In the meantime, I again emphasise that my officials are in close contact with the coal trade and the National Coal Board and I am satisfied that everything possible is being done to meet Northern Ireland's requirements.