asked the Secretary of State for Energy what were the reasons for the failure of the Council of Energy Ministers to achieve agreement on the Commission's proposals to finance cyclical stocks of coal and promotion of coal in electricity generators.
The inability so far to reconcile the different interests of member States as consumers and/or producers of coal. Thus, some members do not regard finance for cyclical stocks as an appropriate way of aiding Community coal, and there are differences of view on the need for a scheme to promote the construction of more coal-burning capacity in power stations and on its possible provisions. However, discussions are to continue, and we shall maintain our advocacy of these and other suitable ways of supporting the Community coal industry.