HC Deb 10 January 2001 vol 360 cc546-7W
Mr. Clifton-Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the implementation of the UK Operating Aid Scheme will result in an electricity generating company benefiting from a reduction in the price it pays for coal under contracts struck prior to 1 January. [144026]

Mrs. Liddell

I am not aware of any steps that have been taken that will result in an electricity generating company benefiting from a reduction in the price it pays for coal under contracts struck prior to 1 January 2000.

Mr. Clifton-Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what coal supply contracts have been cancelled or renegotiated because of Government policy on coal state aid. [144027]

Mrs. Liddell

I am not aware of any coal supply contracts that have been cancelled or renegotiated because of Government policy on state aid.

Mr. Clifton-Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria were used in the selection of members of the Import Parity Price Panel under the UK Coal Operating Aid Scheme; which members of the Panel have been involved in assisting companies applying for aid; and which members have a continuing association with companies that have applied for aid. [144025]

Mrs. Liddell

The Import Parity Price (IPP) Panel Application form explained the requirements for IPP Panel members in the following termsYou will be working as part of a small team … and it will be necessary for you to be able to work closely together to come to a consensus view on difficult and complex issues related to the prices of hypothetical contracts with third country producers. You will need a firm understanding of economic principles and the way in which these can be applied to the question of what prices would have been in hypothetical transactions. It will be essential to have a detailed knowledge of a wide range of aspects of the operation of the coal market in the UK (including purchases of coal from non-UK sources for use in the UK). Whilst not excluding a priori candidates without past involvement in coal contracting from either (or both) the purchasing and selling end, such candidates will need to demonstrate that their skills will be directly applicable to the work of the Panel. Between them, the Panel members must have a full understanding of all aspects of coal contracting so hat due weight can be given to each feature of the contract when determining the IPP. You will be widely respected and regarded as independent of any relevant commercial interest by both the coal industry and the major coal purchasers.

These were the criteria used in the selection of the IPP Panel.

Prior to his appointment, Mr. Brewer acted as consultant for one company which has applied for aid under the UK Coal Operating Aid Scheme.

Both Mr. Horsier and Mr. Brewer have very small shareholdings in Mining Scotland plc, currently held in trust.