Fuel Oil

HC Deb 23 November 1959 vol 614 cc12-4

27. Mr. Neal

asked the Minister of Power whether, in view of the plight of the coal industry, he will consult the President of the Board of Trade with a view to limiting the import of fuel oil.

Mr. Wood

No, Sir. As we already produce in this country more fuel oil than we use, I do not think that the hon. Member's suggestion would serve the purpose he has in mind.

Mr. Neal

Is the Minister aware that throughout my lifetime the Tory Party have preached "Buy British"? Why does he allow an imported product to ruin our oldest basic industry?

Mr. Wood

For the reason which I tried to explain to the hon. Member—that an imported product is not ruining our basic industry. We are producing in this country—and this was the substance of my Answer—more fuel oil than we are using in this country. It is therefore not an import which is destroying the coal industry and creating the difficult position to which he tried to draw my attention.

Mr. Nabarro

Will my right hon. Friend also confirm that last year, for example, the value of coal exports from Britain was a mere £20 million, whereas the value of the exports of petroleum products, which are naturally dependent on the production of fuel oil at the refineries, amounted to £104 million, five times as much as the value of the coal exports?

Mr. Wood

I should need to make a little research to discover whether my hon. Friend's figures are as correct as they generally are, but I have no reason to dissent from them. Indeed, the total quantity of oil exports and bunkers is considerably above the total quantity of oil imports.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Since I gather that the Government have so far rejected proposals to protect the coal industry by limiting the import of other fuels, may I ask whether this policy is to be applied to all industries, including those which are protected in their home demand by the Government's tariffs? Do I gather that the Conservative Party have now completely dropped the principle of applying protective tariffs to protect home industries?

Mr. Wood

That is rather a wider question than the suggestion that I should approach my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade about the matter.

Mr. B. Taylor

Is the Minister aware that the importation of methane gas is affecting, and is increasingly likely to affect, the demand for coal? What are his views about that?

Mr. Wood

As I explained—

Mr. Speaker

Order. That is a different question. I hope that later today the House may be discussing kindred matters in a wide field.

Mr. Taylor

On a point of order. Methane gas is an imported oil product and, with all respect, it is connected with the Question.

Mr. Speaker

I am wrong, and I apologise to the House. I hope that the Minister will continue to answer as he was answering when I interrupted.

Mr. Wood

All I intended to say was that I explained last week in the House that no proposals have been made to me about methane gas. When I have those proposals I shall consider them on their merits.