§ 9. Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he is satisfied with progress towards the development of a European Community energy policy.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe European Commission has recently reviewed the Community's energy strategy and identified areas for action.
§ Mr. KnoxWhat consideration has the Community given to the introduction of a tax on imported oil? Does my right hon. Friend agree that that would be helpful and advantageous to the United Kingdom?
§ Mr. WalkerNo, Sir. Although it might be argued that the imposition of an energy tax throughout the Community would be advantageous to the United Kingdom, when the matter was discussed members of the Community agreed unanimously that it was not the right course to pursue.
§ Mr. RogersIn the development of a European energy policy, will the Secretary of State throw his weight behind Government proposals to increase subsidies to the British coal industry to the level operated by our European competitors?
§ Mr. WalkerThe massive investment of more than £2 million per day that we are putting into our coal industry dwarfs anything being done by any other European country.