§ 12. Mr. Palmerasked the Paymaster-General to what extent, in view of the increasing production of small coal, the further extension of oil firing in power stations is being abandoned.
§ Mr. RentonTwo stations under construction will now burn coal instead of oil, and the conversion of a third station from coal to oil is being re-considered. These changes will reduce the estimated consumption of oil by between 1½ and 2 million tons a year, equivalent to about 2½ or 3 million tons of coal.
§ Mr. PalmerWhile thanking the hon. and learned Member for that answer, may I ask whether it would not be wise in the circumstances to drop this conversion programme altogether?
§ Mr. RentonNo. I do not think we can drop the conversion programme altogether, because the foundation of it is a number of legally binding contracts 784 entered into between the Central Electricity Authority and the oil companies quite freely on both sides. I do not think that we should so speedily interfere with those contracts.