Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has questioned Fergus Ewing’s record on coal mining during a busy Topical Question session in the Scottish Parliament.
However, the Conservative MSP did welcome worker support structures and measures designed to re-open formerly closed open cast mines.
Murdo was at pains to stress the depressing effect high energy prices has on Scottish Industry, and has urged the Scottish Government to make coal a valued component within its energy policy.
Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“Cheaper world coal prices have undoubtedly led to a reduction in profitability for Scottish open cast mines. However, Scottish Government energy policies have exacerbated this problem.
“The Energy Minister and his colleagues have endangered hundreds of Scottish coal jobs by stigmatising the position of coal within our energy generation mix.
“Two-fifths of Scottish households are mired in fuel poverty and Scottish Industry is struggling against the backdrop of high energy prices, yet we have abundant reserves of cheap coal at our fingertips. This is a confusing situation.
“A national strategy for coal would have gone someway to improving investor confidence.
“Within my own constituency hundreds of workers are waiting nervously to find out whether they have a future in the mining industry, if proper contingency plans had been in place this might not be the case.
“Nonetheless, I welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to providing support for soon to be redundant workers and I also welcome the move to re-open closed open cast mines.”