Fuel and Power Resources (Hansard, 27 November 1961)

§ 8. Mr. Mason
asked the Minister of Power if, in view of the Economic Planning Council proposed by Her Majesty's Government, he will consider setting up a fuel and power council composed of representatives of all fuel and power industries with a view to a more efficient use of indigenous fuels allied with controlled imports of additional fuel requirements.

§ 10. Mr. Wainwright
asked the Minister of Power if, in view of imports of oil and the future imports of methane gas, he will now consider setting up a board of all fuel and power representatives with a view to planning more effectively the use of British fuel and power resources.

§ 22. Mr. Finch
asked the Minister of Power if, having regard to the effect on the home market for coal of the importation of gas and oil, he will now consider formulating a national plan for the more effective use of indigenous fuels.

§ Mr. Wood
It is my statutory duty to promote the efficient use of all types of fuel. This is a subject which will also play an important part in the work of the proposed National Economic Development Council, with which I shall be in close touch. I see no need for additional machinery of the kind suggested.

§ Mr. Mason
Why not? Why does not the Minister introduce some national sense of purpose into the planned use of our own fuels, first of all? Secondly, is 8 it not possible that this national economic development council may itself in due course be prepared to look at our fuel and power situation and, possibly, give to those who work therein a larger share of the cake?

§ Mr. Wood
The Minister of Power was given the function under the Act of co-ordinating the various fuel industries. The hon. Gentleman and others of his hon. Friends do not think I do that very well, but I think that I am the best co-ordinator there is, and I do not intend to set up a co-ordinating committee to help to do my job.

§ Mr. Wainwright
Would the Minister be more explicit about not setting up the committee? Will he not take some note of what the Chancellor of the Exchequer says about future planning in this country? Does he not think it is time to end the attacks made by many of his hon. and right hon. Friends on the nationalised industries and to end these attempts to belittle this very important nationalised industry?

§ Mr. Wood
I agree with the hon. Gentleman, and, I think, most of his Friends, that co-ordination is very important indeed—[An HON. MEMBER: "What do you mean by it?"] That is exactly it. If by co-ordination the hon. Member and his hon. Friends mean dictation to the consumer of exactly what fuel he or she should use, I cannot agree that that is the right course to adopt.

§ Mr. Finch
Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that his reply today is going to add to the feelings of insecurity amongst the men in the industry and is bound to give rise to further loss of manpower which, in South Wales, is becoming a very serious matter for the industry and for our economy?

§ Mr. Wood
No, if the hon. Member is referring to the coal industry, as I think he is—

§ Mr. Finch
Yes.

§ Mr. Wood
—the best hope for the coal industry, as I think he will agree, is to continue the increase in productivity which has encouraged us in recent weeks and to improve its own competitive power against other fuels. I think that that is the best answer I can give.

§ Mr. Peyton
Is my right hon. Friend aware that those of us behind him will take great encouragement from what he has said—his refusal to dictate to the consumer and user, and that this aim, which is constantly advocated by the party opposite, is a thoroughly bad one?

§ Mr. Mason
On a point of order. In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of these replies, I give notice that I shall raise the matter again on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.