§ 14. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Works what reductions in total fuel purchases have been made by his Department since 1951.
§ Mr. MolsonOver the seven years from 1951 to date, the annual amount of solid and liquid fuel purchased by my Department for use in all types of Government buildings has been reduced from 1,040,000 tons to 780,000 tons, i.e., by 25 per cent.
§ Mr. NabarroOf the 260,000 tons which is being saved annually, how much is coal and what is the saving worth in terms of money each year?
§ Mr. MolsonThe tonnage reduction has been from 469,000 to 317,000 in coal alone. It is difficult to make a comparison concerning cost, because during that time the cost of coal has risen by 90 per cent. If we were burning now the same amount of coal as in 1950, the cost would be £2,775,000, whereas at present it is £1,878,000. That indicates the financial saving.
§ Mr. NabarroA very good answer.
§ 15. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Works what reductions in purchases of large bituminous coal have been made by his Department since 1951.
§ Mr. MolsonOver the seven years from 1951 to date, the annual purchases by my Department of large bituminous coal have been reduced by 100,000 tons, from 145,000 tons to 45,000 tons. This is a reduction from 31 per cent. to 14 per cent. of our total coal purchases.
§ Mr. NabarroThat is a very good Answer, but can my right hon. Friend say what further contribution he hopes to make—[HON. MEMBERS: "Too long."]—I am only on my first 100 words. Having regard to the statement by the Minister of Power that all imports of American coal are to cease, what additional economies does my right hon. Friend expect to make in future?
§ Mr. MolsonOn learning that there were to be no further importations of large coal, I gave instructions that further study was to be undertaken about what additional reductions could be made. I am very hopeful that we shall be able to make substantial further reductions.