asked the Minister of Power if he will estimate what additional funds he will require to make available to the National Coal Board for capital investment in the next five years.

The Board's borrowing powers are due for reconsiderat on in the coming year. I should prefer not to anticipate the estimates of the Board's needs, which will have to be pre pared for that purpose.

Is the Minister aware that in recent times there have been many Press comments on the accounts of the Coal Board in anticipation that they were back in the red again? Is not he aware that the accounts of the Coal Board are not in the red and that the prospects of the industry are still pretty bright?

I think that is correct, but I do not think that I should attempt to anticipate the Board's accounts