Fuel and Power Policy

HC Deb 09 November 1959 vol 613 cc20-2

33. Mr. Owen

asked the Minister of Power, in view of the economic and social implications of the new "Plan for Coal", whether he will make a statement of Government policy concerning fuel and power in Britain.

Mr. Wood

The Government's policy for fuel and power is to see that consumers' needs are met efficiently and at the lowest cost, with due regard to all relevant social and economic factors.

Mr. Owen

When can the House expect some new thinking from the Minister upon this vitally important matter? Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that for a decade, through the period of both the Labour Government and the Tory Government, the industry was regarded as a public service, but during the past two years it has become a challenge in commercial competition? Is he not aware that this has caused serious difficulty not only in the mining industry but also in other fuel and power services? Will he consider the setting up of a Departmental committee to examine the whole question of fuel and power for Britain?

Mr. Wood

This is a matter which we shall, no doubt, have a chance to discuss in debate before very long, but I cannot believe that it would really be to the interests of industry generally in this country firmly to freeze the pattern of fuel requirements in the future. Indeed, the hon. Gentleman may remember that the Ridley Committee, which was concerned with just this question, thought that the consumer should be free to decide which fuel he would prefer to use.

Mr. Bevan

The right hon. Gentleman said that we should be able to discuss this matter before very long. Can he tell us, without prejudging what he is going to say, when we shall have the discussion?

Mr. Wood

No, Sir; I could not say that. I merely listened, as I am sure the right hon. Gentleman listened, to the closing speech by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary in the debate on the Address.

Mr. Blyton

Is the Minister aware that there is to be a serious contraction in the mining industry in the next five years, and can he tell us at what point the Government propose to prevent the economy of the country becoming dependent upon an imported fuel?

Mr. Wood

I think that that would be a subject—it is a very large subject—which could more easily be discussed when we have the opportunity, but there is a revised "Plan for Coal" which the Government have approved and no doubt we shall have opportunities to discuss that in the near future.

Mr. Shinwell

The right hon. Gentleman has referred to "relevant considerations". Surely one of the relevant considerations must be to ensure continuous employment in the industries concerned. What is the point of referring us to another debate? Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that we have had debates over and over again and the Government have stuck to their guns even though industry has suffered in consequence?

Mr. Wood

I agree with what the right hon. Gentleman says, except that I think that "continued employment in the industry concerned" is a little narrow. I feel that "continued employment in industry in this country" would better represent the kind of thought that I had in mind.