§ 17 and 18. Mr. Willisasked the Minister of Power (1) what was Scotland's share of total gas production in Great Britain in 1948 and in 1959;
(2) if he will state the percentage increase or decrease in total gas output in Scotland between 1948 and 1959; and if he will compare Scottish growth or decline over this period with that of the rest of Great Britain.
§ Mr. GeorgeThe Scottish share of total town gas available was 8.5 per cent. in 1948 and 7.4 per cent. in 1959. Town gas available at gasworks in Scotland in 1959 was 0.2 per cent. higher than in 1948 while gas available in the rest of the United Kingdom was 16 per cent. higher.
§ Mr. WillisIs the hon. Gentleman aware that his answer to these two questions once again shows that Scotland is falling very seriously behind the rest of the country in its industrial development? Will he not tell his right hon. Friends that it is time they did something about it?
§ Mr. GeorgeIn fact, Scotland increased its share of industrial supplies of gas by 75 per cent. compared with a 67 per cent. increase in the rest of Britain.