HC Deb 12 April 1972 vol 834 cc1239-40
9. Mr. Eadie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has held with the Scottish Area of the National Union of Mineworkers about the conversion of coal-fired power stations.

Mr. Younger

I met representatives of the Scottish Area of the National Union of Mineworkers in Glasgow on 3rd May, 1971, to discuss the proposed conversion of Portobello power station.

Mr. Eadie

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that it is a rather new concept of the Government, since they are pledged to create more jobs, if they are to consider a £2.1 million power station conversion from coal-firing to oil-firing, a consequence of which would be the loss of about 1,400 more jobs to the coal industry? Can he give an assurance that he will not pursue this rather strange contradiction?

Mr. Younger

As the hon. Gentleman is aware, we have had a proposal from the South of Scotland Electricity Board that this station should be converted. We are considering it in the same way that we and our predecessors have considered similar proposals—in the light of the cost involved, of fuel policy generally, and of the social consequences. We are considering the matter very fully in the light of all these considerations.

Sir G. Nabarro

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry consistently refuses to answer on matters of fuel policy, and that I have been endeavouring to extract from him for the last three months his intentions during the next seven years as to the division of fuel between coal, oil and nuclear energy for the whole United Kingdom, because under the Electricity (Scotland) Act, 1955, there is only one grid and we want to know whether the grid is to be fed by any coal-fired power stations in Scotland in future?

Mr. Younger

The same position in Scotland applies as before—that decisions about future fuel policy and power stations must be taken in the light of the full studies being made on a United Kingdom basis. Any question on that is for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

Mr. Ross

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is not the first time that this proposal has been put to the Scottish Office? Before he makes a decision will he remember that it is particularly important at present to preserve every job one can in Scotland? When can he make his decision?

Mr. Younger

I confirm that that is one of the things we shall be considering in making the decision, the date of which I am unable to give the right hon. Gentleman. We will consider the proposal fully in the light of all the considerations, as is usually done.