§ 12. Mr. Lawsonasked the Minister of Power what was the proportion of United Kingdom output of crude steel produced in Scotland in 1948 and 1962.
§ Mr. Peyton15.2 per cent. in 1948 and 9.2 per cent. in 1962.
§ Mr. LawsonDoes not the Parliamentary Secretary agree that these are very disturbing figures for Scotland? To try to help to relieve this position, would he discuss with his right hon. Friend the possibility of his right hon. Friend once again approaching the chairman of the National Coal Board in an effort to relieve the burden of discriminatory coal price increases which have been imposed upon Scotland, so that Scotland will be able at least to buy the coal required for the steel industry at a price comparable with the price charged south of the border?
§ Mr. PeytonI do not think that I can usefully add to the recent Answer which I gave on the question of coal prices. It was a commercial decision reached by the National Coal Board, and before the decision was reached the Board discussed it with my right hon. Friend, who thought that the decision was right and sees no reason to change his mind now.