§ 16. Mr. Adam Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total coal consumption per year of coal-fired electricity power stations in Scotland; and what percentage this is of the total amount of fuels at present required to generate electricity in Scotland.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithA total of 5,793,000 tons of coal was used in Scottish power stations in 1971–72, representing 55 per cent. of all fuels used.
§ Mr. HunterDoes the hon. Gentleman agree that his reply indicates that coal is still important to the Scottish economy, particularly in the generation of electricity? Will he also agree that it is high time that the Secretary of State made a close study of the rôle that coal should play in Scotland in the years to come? Furthermore, will he agree that energy policy should be considered in a Scottish context?
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithI agree that coal is important to the Scottish economy, and I hope that the hon. Gentleman will agree that the statement which was made on this subject earlier this week by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry is a positive demonstration that this is the Government's view.