HC Deb 09 November 1970 vol 806 cc19-21
19. Mr. Edwin Wainwright

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, before he gives any further consideration to the Central Electricity Generating Board's application to convert the coal-fired power stations, Aberthaw A, South Wales, Richborough, Kent, and North-fleet, Kent, to be oil-fired stations he will have further consultation with the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers.

Mr. Ridley

My hon. Friend the Minister for Industry announced the decision to allow these conversions in the reply given to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Kelley) on 23rd July.—[Vol. 804, c. 207–8.]

Mr. Wainwright

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is much dissatisfaction in coal-mining areas because of the lack of consultation on these conversions? Will he bear in mind that any future conversion from coal should be to gas, which can easily be reconverted to coal-firing? Is he aware that the statement by his right hon. Friend about lame ducks is causing anxiety? There is a great deal of dissatisfaction in coal-mining districts, because the Government have not made any decision about what they intend to do for the intermediate or grey areas.

Mr. Ridley

All these conversions have been the subject of consultation with the N.U.M., as will be any future conversions. In the case of two of these stations there are facilities for reconversion to coal should there ever be a surplus of coal again.

Mr. Mason

I hope that the hon. Gentleman will reconsider his statement that consultations took place. Is he aware that I informed the House during the debate on coal a fortnight ago that in the matter of these three power stations, the Government deliberately avoided talking to the N.U.M.? The announcements were made and the union was not consulted. It was a change of policy. As for Richborough, it is a complete switch to oil fueling and cannot return to coal-firing. This involves the loss of a market of 500,000 tons.

Mr. Ridley

With regard to Rich-borough, the right hon. Gentleman knows that the coking coal from that part of Kent is in very short supply and has a very assured market for the future. I did not say that it had been converted so that it could use coal again. It was the other two stations to which I was referring. My hon. Friend the Minister for Industry discussed these matters with the N.U.M.

Mr. Mason

On a point of order. I am sorry, but I hope that the hon. Gentleman will consider first the initial reply he gave—

Hon. Members

Not a point of order.

Mr. Mason

All right. Mr. Speaker, I wish to inform the House that we shall check the record to make sure that the hon. Gentleman has misled the House and I hope that we can prevail upon you to persuade him to make a personal statement. The National Union of Mineworkers was not consulted about these three power stations, and the hon. Gentleman and his hon. Friends are aware of it.

Mr. Speaker

That is a point of disagreement between the two Front Benches.

Mr. Wainwright

On a point of order. In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment as soon as possible.