HC Deb 08 June 1981 vol 6 cc10-1
10. Sir Anthony Meyer

asked the Secretary of State for energy when he expects to make a statement about Government participation in the proposed coal liquefaction pilot plant at Point of Ayr colliery.

Mr. John Moore

I was pleased to announce Government support for this project in response to my hon. Friend's motion for the Adjournment on 22 May 1981.

Sir Anthony Meyer

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Government's decision to participate in the project has given rise to enormous satisfaction in North Wales, where there had been some doubts? Is my hon. Friend further aware that Government support implies that this is a commercial proposition that should attract private finance? What is being done to persuade the EEC to contribute more generously to the project?

Mr. Moore

I am delighted that the Government's announcement of support should receive such a welcome. I hope that the Government's decision will open the way for the NCB—which will be leading on the proposals—to accept the offer of support from the EEC's alternative energy demonstration programmes.

Mr. Barry Jones

Is the Minister aware that many unemployed construction workers are impatient to begin work? In what year does the Minister expect the construction phase of the scheme to begin? Is there any prospect of more money, in additon to the £5 million that the Government have put in?

Mr. Moore

People tend to assume that money will be forthcoming as soon as a project is proposed. Before the project has been assessed, they are asking for more. The success of the project will depend on the degree to which it involves the participation of both the private and public sectors. To that extent, the project's future is clearly in the hands of the NCB. Future dates are a matter for discussion with the NCB and it is impossible to give them at this stage.

Mr. Eadie

We welcome the Government's announcement to invest £5 million in oil from coal plants, although that is £15 million less than I committed when I was a member of the Labour Government. Having seen the correspondence in the build-up to the announcement, may I ask the hon. Gentleman to explain why the Department of Energy's chief scientist should regard it as his function to make political judgments on projects and thus to amend the tradition that his predecessors in the Department of Energy established, who gave scientific judgments?

Mr. Moore

During the Adjournment debate I took the trouble to make clear the important nature of this long-term decision. The Department of Energy's excellent chief scientist was carrying out his function when he gave the Department—as he consistently does—the advice that a chief scientist is expected to give. The Government hope that the decision—which has been welcomed by the chairman of the NCB, by all sections of management and by the unions involved—will have the support of all sides of the House, which will be needed if it is to be successful.