§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he has had with Scottish interests about proposals for an EEC common energy policy; and if he will make a statement about the implications for the Scottish oil and coal industries if the final policy were to be based substantially on present proposals from the Commission to the Council of Ministers.
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§ Mr. Tom BoardmanThe Commission's current proposals for an EEC energy policy are of a general character, and their implications are for the United Kingdom energy economy as a whole rather than for Scottish industries in particular. Therefore, I have not undertaken specific consultations with Scottish interests, but I am, of course, aware of Scottish problems and bear them in mind in considering EEC proposals.
§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial resources the European Community has allocated for research on fuel.
§ Mr. EmeryIn the energy field, Community expenditure on research is at present authorised only in respect of coal and nuclear power. Expenditure in respect of nuclear power has been mainly connected with reactor development, biased towards fundamental work. Little expenditure is on nuclear fuel as such. Expenditure on research into coal mining and coal utilisation is supported under the ECSC and a figure of 4 million European units of account—that is about £li million—has been proposed by the Commission for 1973.