§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met representatives of the opencast coal mining industry; and what issues were discussed. [R] [97683]
§ Mrs. Liddell[holding answer 9 November 1999]: I have met RJB, the largest opencast producer, the mining unions and MPs from mining constituencies to discuss the range of issues affecting the coal industry. I have also indicated my readiness to meet the Confederation of United Kingdom Coal Producers to address issues of particular concern that would benefit from discussion at Ministerial level. I would expect these to include opencast issues.
§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with owners of power stations about their long-term purchases of coal produced in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [R] [97678]
§ Mrs. Liddell[holding answer 9 November 1999]: Decisions about the source of coal purchased for electricity generation are a matter for the generators themselves. I have not discussed long-term purchases of coal with the owners of any UK power stations. My officials have regular contacts with all the generators covering most aspects of their business.
I have recently approved on competition grounds the sale of three coal-fired power stations and in that context I have had to consider competition issues relating to long term coal contracts.
§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the future of the Scottish coal industry. [R] [97676]
§ Mrs. Liddell[holding answer 9 November 1999]: The Government's views on the future of the coal industry were set out in the White Paper on the Conclusions of the Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation. Further detailed information about the industry and its future were provided in the Department of Trade and Industry's publication "Prospects for Coal Production in England, Scotland and Wales". We will continue to work to maintain fair competition which will enable the Scottish coal industry to compete.
§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what steps have been taken by HM Government to encourage the transfer of opencast coal production from road to rail; what percentage of coal produced is transported by rail; and what reports he has received regarding the efficiency of the rail services provided to the industry; [R] [97679]
(2) if he will seek reports from the rail regulation authorities about the efficiency of service provided to the opencast coal industry; and if he will make a statement. [R] [97681]
§ Mrs. Liddell[holding answer 9 November 1999]: Transport policy is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions. His Department publishes statistics on coal movements by rail, but these do not distinguish between coal sources or methods of production. I have been made aware of concerns about the quality of rail services 637W provided to the coal industry, and I understand that the industry has now made a formal complaint to the Office of the Rail Regulator. I have asked to be kept closely informed of the progress of the Regulator's investigation.