ROLE OF DOMESTIC COAL IN THE UK'S FUTURE ENERGY SUPPLY

Early day motion 2263, tabled 25 May 2006 by Paddy Tipping (Labour). Signed by 113 members.

That this House supports all efforts to develop carbon-capture clean coal technology; notes that 50 per cent. of last winter's electricity supply was derived from coal; recognises that domestic coal provides a reliable, secure energy supply to electricity generators at stable and competitive prices; further notes the threat that the vast majority of the UK's future coal needs will have to be supplied via imports, predominantly from Russia, and is concerned at the threat that this will pose to the UK's energy security; believes that without immediate investment in domestic deep coal mining the industry will disappear and the country will be over-reliant on unstable and expensive sources of imported coal; understands that this investment depends on electricity generators paying a fair market price for domestic coal; further recognises that future investment will permit access to 300 million tonnes of deep-mine reserves and support economically viable indigenous coal production in the long term; and calls on domestic coal suppliers, electricity generators and the Government to work together to ensure that fair prices are set as part of new contracts between UK coal mines and generators in order to ensure the survival of the domestic coal industry.

Signatures by party: Labour 82, Liberal Democrat 12, Conservative 9, DUP 5, Plaid Cymru 2, Respect 1, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.