§ 5. Mr. Eadieasked the Minister of Power what representations have been made to him about coal prices in Scotland charged to the steel industry.
§ Mr. FreesonMy right hon. Friend has had no recent representations.
§ Mr. EadieIs my hon. Friend aware that the differential coal prices charged to the steel industry in Scotland have a most disadvantageous effect on the steel industry in Scotland? Will he take steps to stop this nonsense?
§ Mr. FreesonI am aware that there is some general feeling in Scotland about energy pricing as a whole, not just about coal charges. Some pricing principles may need re-examination if we enter or are seriously affected by developments in the Common Market. I have no reason to believe that Scottish prices are out of line with production costs.
Mr. Edward M. TaylorHow can the hon. Gentleman say that he has had no representations when I have written to him three times since New Year's Day on this subject? Does he realise that the price of coal in Scotland adds £3 million to the costs of one firm alone? How can the steel industry have any hope for the future as long as this continues?
§ Mr. FreesonThe hon. Gentleman will know that the correspondence to which he refers was connected with Questions in the House. [Interruption.] If we say that every Question in the House is a representation to the Minister, we are rather misusing language. I am perfectly well aware of the letters which have been received, because I have had something to do with replying to some of them. We have been asked whether representations have been made on this matter recently, and I have replied that there have been no representations from the industry. [Interruption.] It might help if hon. Members were to listen to the reply.
§ Sir K. JosephSurely the hon. Gentleman realises that the Question does not refer to representations from the industry. He should withdraw the answer "No" since my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward M. Taylor), as the Parliamentary Secretary admits, has written to him on three occasions on the subject referred to in the Question.
§ Mr. FreesonI do not accept that this is a Question from the hon. Member. [HON. MEMBERS: "Representations."] It might help if hon. Members were to listen to the reply.
§ Dame Irene WardGo back to school.
§ Mr. FreesonI have indicated, and I repeat, that we have not had any representations recently on this matter from the industry.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamOn a point of order. When a Member puts a Question in the House which is a representation on behalf of a constituent, is it in order for a Minister to say that it is not a representation?