§ 33. Mr. Ralph Ethertonasked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the necessity for conserving our foreign currency and limiting the use of shipping, he will ration heavy oil and restrict unessential consumption, so as to reduce the present imports exceeding 3,000,000 tons a year and now costing over £18,000,000 sterling?
§ Mr. LloydWhile I cannot accept the figures quoted in the Question, I can assure the hon. Member that steps already taken have resulted in a reduction in the consumption of heavy oils, and that attention will continue to be directed to the possibility of effecting further economies.
§ Mr. EthertonDoes my hon. Friend not agree that a considerable quantity of fuel oil is consumed by heating and lighting business premises, including the Bank of England, which could properly be heated and lit by home-produced coal?