§ 42. Mr. Milneasked the Minister of Power if he will arrange an early meeting with the Chairman of the National Coal Board and the Chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board in order to arrive at a decision on the relative costs of the fuels required by the electricity industry.
§ Mr. MarshNo, Sir. As a result of discussions which I had with the Chairmen, a study on nuclear costs was made with which both industries were associated. The results were published as Appendix 44 of the Report from the Select Committee on Science and Technology on the United Kingdom Nuclear Reactor Programme. A separate study on coal costs is still in progress.
§ Mr. MilneIs my right hon. Friend aware that his reply is rather disappointing in view of the fact that too much public controversy exists between the heads 209 of the nationalised industries'? Is he aware that anything that can be done to alleviate this position would be beneficial to the industries concerned'? Can he expedite a meeting of this kind?
§ Mr. MarshMany meetings have already taken place about this. The outstanding study at present is on coal costs, and I assure my hon. Friend that I will bear in mind what he has said.