§ Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if, in view of the need for formal co-operation between the different energy producing agencies in the United Kingdom as a whole and in Scotland in particular, he will consider setting up a United Kingdom Energy Commission and Scottish Energy Agency to ensure that officials in the various sections work together to harmonise policies rather than through Civil Service intermediaries:
(2) what plans he has to ensure the co-ordination of policy making between the various agencies responsible for energy production in Scotland and the United Kingdom as a whole.
§ Mr. BennAs I told the hon. Member in reply to a Question on 3rd May—[Vol. 910, c.219]—I do not consider that new energy authorities are appropriate. I have the responsibility for overall energy policy which takes full account of Scottish and Welsh interests in consultation with the Secretaries of State concerned. I believe that co-ordination and harmonisation are best promoted by our present arrangements for working with management, trade unions and other interests involved on the development of energy strategy.