HC Deb 27 July 1988 vol 138 c309W
23. Mr. Eadie

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on coalburn in power stations, in the light of meetings he has had with representatives of the South of Scotland Electricity Board and British Coal.

Mr. Lang

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Dunfermline, West (Mr. Douglas) on 13 June, at column37.

I have been advised by the South of Scotland Electricity Board that, as part of its coal supply arrangements for the financial year 1988–89, it has now agreed with British Coal to take deliveries at a rate which will result in a total for the year of up to 3.5 million tonnes.

This agreement has been reached on the basis of commercial negotiations between the parties and there is no question of the Government having intervened in the discussions.