§ 21. Mr. Steeleasked the Minister of Power what was Scotland's share of total gas production in Great Britain in 1948 and in 1961; and what was the percentage increase or decrease over the period of gas output in both areas respectively.
§ Mr. WoodScotland's share of the town gas available in Great Britain was 7 per cent. in 1961 and 8.5 per cent. in 1948. 0.3 per cent. less gas was available in 1961 than in 1948 in Scotland; 20 per cent. more in Great Britain as a whole.
§ Mr. SteeleCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether this change was due to industry going over to oil, as the right hon. Gentleman indicated in a previous answer, Whether the Scottish Gas Board is not getting the capital which it needs, or whether this is another indication of how Scotland's economy is lagging behind that of England and Wales? If so, is not this another indication that the Minister and the Government should not leave the ques- 26 tion of Scotland's economy to the Chairman of the National Coal Board but should deal with it themselves?
§ Mr. WoodCertainly the question of investment is extremely important. Whereas Scotland's proportion of total investment in earlier years was 8 per cent., last year it increased to over 12½ per cent. As the hon. Gentleman knows, the first stage of the Lurgi plant was brought into operation in 1960–61. I hope that the result of this investment and new plant will be to improve the Scottish position.
§ Mr. SteeleWill not the right hon. Gentleman agree that, despite this capital investment, the increase in price to the gas and electricity industries and to other industries in Scotland will make it much more difficult for Scotland to improve its economy?
§ Mr. WoodThe hon. Gentleman and one of his hon. Friends have a Question on the Order Paper about the effect of the coal price increase on the gas and electricity industries.