Energy Policy

HC Deb 25 March 1985 vol 76 cc1-3

1. Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he has made any assessment of the effects of Government energy policy on employment prospects in Wales.

The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Nicholas Edwards)

Our policy of providing competitive and secure supplies of energy is essential for the best development of manufacturing industry and of employment prospects in Wales.

Mr. Thomas

Does the Secretary of State now agree with the view expressed by his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer at the beginning of the coal industry dispute, which was engineered by the Government, that the dispute was a good investment? How does the absence of a coherent energy policy and of substantial investment in the Welsh coal industry amount to an energy policy that is good for Wales?

Mr. Edwards

I cannot agree with the hon. Gentleman about the absence of a coherent energy policy. Massive investment is going on in the coal industry. We are determined to see that alternative sources of energy are available to industry so that they have competitive fuel sources to enable them to compete with other countries.

Sir Raymond Gower

As the most damaging factor affecting energy in Wales was the unfortunate coal mining strike, to what extent will that affect the prices of electricity in particular and energy in general during the period immediately ahead of us?

Mr. Edwards

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor has already made clear the way in which those costs are being met. They will have no immediate impact on the electricity generating industry, although undoubtedly they represent a burden on the economy.

Mr. Foot

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that during the miners' strike the churches in Wales produced what the Prime Minister would no doubt describe as a whole nest of cuckoos? Would it not have been right to pay more attention to that rare ornithological development? Why did he not seek to settle on such a fair proposition? Would it not have been better for Wales and the whole country?

Mr. Edwards

I am afraid that the churches were unable to put forward a basis that held out any hope of a realistic settlement at a time when the leader of the NUM was not prepared, as he said, to give an inch.

Mr. Ron Davies

May I remind the Secretary of State of the devastating impact that the proposed closure of Bedwas colliery will have on the Rhymney valley when we already have 10,000 unemployed and now face a further loss of 600-plus jobs? Is he aware that that closure was effected by underhand means by the NCB in Wales? Is he aware of the statement by the Secretary of State for Energy some months ago that the modified colliery review procedure was sacrosanct? Will the right hon. Gentleman confirm that that is Government policy and take steps to ensure that before any final decision is taken in respect of Bedwas that colliery is subject to the modified review procedure as agreed with the National Association of Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shotfirers?

Mr. Edwards

I understand that faces were lost at that colliery during the dispute, that those who work in the colliery have now voted on the issue, and that that is a question for the management of the NCB.

Mr. Terlezki

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the NCB in Wales has lost coal exports to France to the tune of 600,000 tonnes per annum, which is bound to tell on the Welsh economy and, in particular, on Welsh coal before output is brought to normality and the Welsh economy is stabilised?

Mr. Edwards

I am glad to say that production in the coalfield is already getting back to normal. I heard last week from the chairmen of the NCB and of Associated British Ports that exports have already begun to flow through the south Wales ports. That is obviously an encouraging development and I hope that everyone will work to restore those important markets.

Mr. Barry Jones

It is said that NCB (Enterprise) Ltd. is to be funded with £10 million. What share of that £10 million will Wales have? Does the Secretary of State realise that that £10 million—indeed more than that—could easily be spent in Wales? How much has he won for NCB (Enterprise) Ltd. in Wales?

Mr. Edwards

It has been made clear that these are start-up resources to enable the operation to get off the ground. I understand that a high proportion of the proposals so far made involve Wales. At present there is no inhibition on the company's work arising from a shortage of funds.