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National Power (Coal Supplies)

Volume 178: debated on Monday 29 October 1990

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To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what advice he has received from the European Commission regarding the claim by the Small Mines Association of south Wales relating to the differential in prices paid by National Power for coal supplies to Aberthaw and Uskmouth power stations;(2) what representations he has received regarding the claim by the Small Mines Association of south Wales for redress over discriminatory pricing for coal deliveries to National Power stations; what action he now proposes; and at what estimated cost;(3) when he expects to complete his discussions with the South Wales Small Mines Association and National Power regarding the dispute over discriminatory pricing in coal deliveries to Uskmouth and Aberthaw power stations;(4) what actions he proposes to take in response to the claim for redress for discriminatory coal pricing made by the South Wales Small Mines Association;(5) if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter from John Temple Laing of the European Commission to the office of the United Kingdom permanent representative to the European Communities dated 28 August, responding to the claim for redress for unfair coal pricing submitted by the South Wales Small Mines Association.

The South Wales Small Mines Association has made a complaint to the European Commission about the terms on which its members have been able to sell their output. My Department has been actively encouraging the parties to the dispute to achieve a negotiated settlement. The association is currently considering the proposals most recently offered. The European Commission has supported our efforts to achieve a negotiated settlement. It has been the policy of successive Governments to treat correspondence with the Commission as confidential.