§ 18. Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated coal burn in electricity generation in Scotland for the years 1969 and 1970.
§ Mr. RossAssuming consumption of the maximum possible amount of coal, about 6.5 million tons in 1969 and about 7.5 million tons in 1970.
§ Mr. EadieIs my right hon. Friend aware that his indication of a further increase in coal burn—indeed, coal by wire—will be welcomed by the miners in Scotland? Would he not agree that he could earn their thanks if he now influenced his right hon. Friend the Minister of Power to investigate coal derivatives?
§ Mr. RossThere has been a considerable increase in coal burn. In 1964–65, it was 4.3 million tons and my hon. Friend will have noticed that the scheme that I announced a week or so ago in relation to Foyers will, in itself, by the mid-1970s lead to the increased use of another 2 million tons. So we are, therefore, looking forward to the possibility of coal burn in Scotland reaching about 8 million tons in the mid-1970s.