HC Deb 25 March 1991 vol 188 c601
18. Mr. Lofthouse

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has any plans to meet the chairmen of National Power and PowerGen to discuss coal imports.

Mr. Wakeham

I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Rother Valley (Mr. Barron).

Mr. Lofthouse

Has the chairman of British Coal ever expressed concern about the strong rumours that the retrofit flue gas desulphurisation plants at Ferrybridge may be transferred to the Isle of Grain? That could have a major effect on the Yorkshire coalfield. Are those rumours true?

Mr. Wakeham

The position about the retrofits was clearly set out in the prospectus for the sale of the shares in the generating companies. Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution has authority in these matters and I do not envisage any changes to what was set out in the prospectus.