To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what were the total imports of coke for each of the last five years; and what were the amounts from each country of origin.

Imports of hard coke for each of the last five years by total and by country of origin are as follows:

Between 1976 and 1984, under the auspices of the International Energy Agency, the United States of America, Federal Republic of Germany and United Kingdom each contributed £20 million to the fluidised bed combustion project at Grimethorpe. Of the United Kingdom share, British Coal contributed £3 million, and the Department of Energy £17 million. British Coal also made contributions in kind. From 1985 to date the project has been the responsibility of British Coal together with the Central Electricity Generating Board. I understand from British Coal that during this period the United States of America contributed £10 million, in addition to expenditure by British Coal and CEGB of £28 million.