23. Mr. J. Hillasked the Minister of Power what steps he is taking to ensure an adequate supply of coal to support the rate of economic growth proposed by the National Economic Development Council.
Mr. HillWill the right hon. Gentleman tell us what part the Scottish coal industry can play in this? He will know that in the pits in Scotland in the last five years we have lost 25,000 jobs, and the Chairman of the Scottish Coal Board is on record as saying that unless we can get a new coal-fired power station, at the Barony coal pit a large number of men will be unemployed. Would he advise the Coal Board to cut the selective price in Scotland so that the Scottish Division can be more competitive for a new coal-fired power station?
§ Mr. WoodThe hon. Gentleman originally asked me whether there would be sufficient coal to support an economic growth of 4 per cent. and my answer was that these supplies would be adequate. In fact, the Report points out that the industry already has physical capacity in excess of its target requirements of 200 million tons. Clearly, the level of coal production in Scotland will depend on the extent to which it can be economic, and I am glad to say that recent signs have been very much more encouraging than past performance.
Mr. HillWill not the right non. Gentleman accept the Mackenzie Committee's Report, which indicates quite clearly that unless we have more power stations in Scotland we shall be short of fuel?
§ Mr. WoodI told the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes) that the question of a further power station in Scotland is now being considered, and I do not know what the answer from that consideration will be.