Dumfriesshire and Clydesdale MP David Mundell has met with Energy Minister John Hayes to discuss possible ways of saving threatened coal jobs in his constituency.
The meeting was called after the MP met Scottish Resources Group management and unions to discuss the company present financial situation, caused by falling coal prices.
Describing the meeting as “very useful,” Mr Mundell said all issues raised with him by both unions and SRG management had been discussed.
The MP said: “We had a discussion about whether direct funding would breach EU State Aid rules, but concluded that even if funds were available - and there is currently no budget - the timescales for clearance were too long to deal with the issues that SRG currently face.
“However, the view was that EU structural funds which the Scottish Government administer might be a better and more immediate source of support and that the local Councils should also become involved if that option is pursued. All other UK government financial options were being examined
“The Minister confirmed that his officials in the Energy Department would co-ordinate cross government responses, and all experience from previous similar events would be shared. He would also ensure close working with the Scottish Government and undertook to arrange an early meeting with Fergus Ewing MSP, the Scottish Government Energy Minister, which I will attend.
“Restoration of the sites will certainly be on the agenda of that meeting, as this will be very important to local communities, and while it is understood that the Scottish Government have some specific proposals, these have not been shared with the Department of Energy or MPs.”
Mr Mundell is now planning to meet officials from East Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire Councils to discover what they are doing to help.
Since his meeting John Hayes has been replaced by Michael Fallon as Energy Minister, and Mr Mundell has written to Mr Fallon updating him on the situation and asking him to take the same interest as his predecessor did.