HC Deb 08 July 1970 vol 803 cc652-3
Mr. Speaker

Mr. Gourlay—whose work in the Chair in the last Parliament we all appreciated—Question No. 14.

14. Mr. Gourlay

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, following the study by the South of Scotland Electricity Board of the possible conversion of the Kincardine and Longannet Power Stations from coal to oil-burning he has now received representations from the Board; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Younger

My right hon. Friend has received no proposal from the South of Scotland Electricity Board to convert the Kincardine or Longannet Station from coal to oil-burning.

Any proposal of this kind would require careful consideration in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Technology because of his responsibilities in relation to the coal industry.

Mr. Gourlay

Is the Minister aware that the S.S.E.B. has been investigating the possible conversion of Longannet and Kincardine power stations to oil, even to the extent of laying a pipeline under the Forth? In view of the thousands of miners employed in the Seafield colliery who are dependent on Longannet and other power stations in Scotland for their future employment, would he give an undertaking that the miners' jobs in Fife and elsewhere will not be placed in jeopardy by allowing the board to change over to oil?

Mr. Younger

No proposal has been received by me on this matter, but the board may consider it prudent to have alternative plans available in case of future problems over fuel. If such a proposal were to be made in the future, it would have to be considered in the light of the points raised by the hon. Gentleman.