Burning issue
Sir: In 'The Current Favourite' (28 Novem- ber) it is implied that, in some way, the CEGB was to be blamed for what you describe as the 'humiliating climbdown' by the Government in the face of a threatened miner's strike in late February 1981.
On the contrary, the Board was well prepared for any eventuality. Sales of electricity and therefore coal-bum were running below estimate, coal stocks at power stations were exceptionally high and the winter was far advanced. I had no disagreement or even discussion with the Secretary of State on fuel security. I was as surprised as anyone else to read in the press of the agreement reached between the Government and the coal industry.
No one checking Hansard or the press cuttings of that time could possibly put the construction on the facts that you manage to do.
Glyn England
Chairman CEGB, 1977-82 Woodbridge Farm, Ubley, Bristol
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