HC Deb 20 February 1963 vol 672 cc52-3W
45. Mr. W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations have been made from the coal industry concerning the prospects facing that industry in the event of the proposed new electricity generating station not being coal-fired; and whether, in arriving at his decision in this matter, he will take into account factors other than purely commercial ones.

Mr. Leburn

Representations have been received on the subject from the National Coal Board, the Scottish Area of the National Union of Mineworkers and the Scottish Branch of the British Association of Colliery Management. The commercial factors must obviously be given full weight because the cost of electricity is of great importance to the Scottish economy. My right hon. Friend will, however, give full weight to all other relevant factors.