Coal and Oil (Consumption)

HC Deb 16 February 1959 vol 600 c9

19. Mr. Fitch

asked the Paymaster-General what percentage of the total inland fuel consumption was met by coal, and by oil, respectively, in 1958.

Sir I. Horobin

80 and 19.

Mr. Fitch

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in 1938 93 per cent, of the inland fuel consumption was met by coal and that this drop of 13 per cent. means, in actual tonnage, about 20 million to 25 million tons? In view of that, will he not urge his noble Friend to put speed on in his investigations into the uses of coal otherwise than for fuel?

Sir I. Horobin

A great deal of research is going on in this direction. About half the amount of oil concerned here is in uses for which coal is not competitive. We cannot, for instance, drive a Ferguson tractor on coal.