Hospitals, Edinburgh (Heating)

HC Deb 27 November 1963 vol 685 cc256-7

10. Mr. W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he has received concerning the proposed heating of certain hospitals in Edinburgh with oil; and, in view of the urgent need to safeguard and improve the future prospects of the Scottish coal industry, whether he will rescind such proposals.

Mr. Stodart

My right hon. Friend has received 25 representations on this subject. The South-Eastern Regional Hospital Board invited all the fuel interests concerned to submit revised proposals. These have just been received and no decision can be made until they have been considered.

Mr. Hamilton

Can the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that, in coming to a decision on this matter, the Secretary of State or the regional hospital board will be guided by the same considerations as inspired the Secretary of State when he was deciding whether the new power station in Fife should be fired by oil or coal? In other words, will he give an assurance that the social factors will be taken into account and that the future prosperity of the coal mining industry will be safeguarded?

Mr. Stodart

Yes, it is, of course, in the national interest to secure that in any case where coal is competitive with other fuels the Coal Board should be given full opportunity to tender for the heating installations for public institutions, and the hospital authorities do this. I would say that each case must be looked at in the light of its own particular circumstances and, to a certain degree, in the light of the price comparisons between using one fuel and another.

Mr. W. Hamilton

I must press the hon. Gentleman. Will he give a categorical assurance that social factors, and the: fact that Fife depends almost entirely on the coal mining industry, will weigh extremely heavily with the Secretary of State in guiding the regional board to its decision?

Mr. Stodart

I am perfectly willing to go so far with the hon. Gentleman as to say that these things will be given most careful consideration, but I would not be prepared to say that hospitals should use coal regardless altogether of cost.