HC Deb 10 March 1988 vol 129 cc331-2W
Mr. McLeish

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when officials of his Department last met representatives of the South of Scotland Electricity Board to discuss its sources of supplies of coal; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lang

Officials of my Department are in regular contact, on a day to day basis, with representatives of both Scottish electricity boards over a range of matters affecting the electricity supply industry in Scotland. The Department has been kept informed about developments regarding the question of coal supplies to the South of Scotland Electricity Board.

Mr. McLeish

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he or the Minister of State last met the chairman of the South of Scotland Electricity Board; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lang

My right hon. and learned Friend met the chairman of the South of Scotland Electricity Board on 1 March, in advance of the publication of the White Paper on privatisation of the Scottish electricity supply industry.

Mr. McLeish

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any aspects of the tendering procedure now being undertaken by the South of Scotland Electricity Board for the supply of coal have been scrutinised by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lang

The South of Scotland Electricity Board's tendering procedure for the supply of coal for electricity generation is a commercial matter for the board alone and has not involved the Government in any way.