§ 46. Mr. EadieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his policy on the proposal of the South of Scotland Electricity Board to go out to tender for coal purchases and its effect on the Scottish coal mining industry.
§ Mr. LangThe purchase of coal for electricity generation is essentially a commercial matter for the two industries and not one in which it would be appropriate for the Government to intervene. However, I do recognise the importance to British Coal's operations in Scotland of securing further orders for supplying coal to the South of Scotland Electricity Board when the existing contract terminates at the end of March and I remain hopeful that agreement will be reached on terms acceptable to both parties.
50. Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will next be meeting the chairman of the South of Scotland Electricity Board to discuss the importance of foreign coal.
§ Mr. LangMy right hon. and learned Friend meets the chairman of the South of Scotland Electricity Board from time to time to discuss matters of mutual interest. However, he has no plans for a meeting on this matter, which is for the commercial judgment of the board.