HC Deb 31 March 1949 vol 463 cc1421-2
10. Mr. Granville Sharp

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether oil can now be provided for those firms whose conversion from coal to oil burning was deferred.

Mr. Gaitskell

Yes, Sir. The fuel oil position has now improved sufficiently to make it possible to supply those firms whose conversion to oil burning, though approved, had to be deferred in December, 1947. As regards new applications for fuel oil, these will be granted, for the time being, only where the use of oil has exceptional economic advantages or the use of alternative fuels is impracticable.