§ 24. Mr. Ginsburgasked the Minister of Power, in view of his responsibility for promoting economy and efficiency in the consumption of fuel and power, what consideration he has given to the effect of the recent decision in the chemical industry to undertake hydrogen production from light oils instead of from coke as is done at present.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Power (Mr. John George)The objectives referred to by the Son. Member are best achieved by leaving consumers free to Choose the materials best suited to their particular needs.
§ Mr. GinsburgIs the Minister aware that a recent decision by Imperial Chemical Industries is likely to cost the National Coal Board a market for 600,000 tons of coal? Has the Minister had any consultation with either of these two parties, and is he, in particular, satisfied that the National Coal Board went to the limit in trying to retain this important market?
§ Mr. GeorgeThe hon. Member must not confuse the use of coal as a source of power with the use of coal as an industrial raw material. The change in this case affects coal as an industrial raw material, and my right hon. Friend would not wish to dictate to a private company what its industrial raw materials should be.