To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the effect of the recent mild weather on (a) future purchases of coal by the generators and (b) the timing of deliveries of coal to the generators. [32691]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The volumes of coal purchased by the generators and the timing of deliveries are governed by the contracts between the generators and their various coal suppliers. The volume of coal actually burnt is, in part, influenced by the weather and variations against planned levels of burn may be reflected in the level of coal stocks held by the generators. The relationship between the weather and stock levels is not straightforward. Stock levels have fallen in recent months despite the mild weather.