§ 28. Mr. T. Fraserasked the Minister of Power what was the increase in the use of petrol and derv for transport purposes and of fuel oil for steam-raising, respectively, over the past five years, expressed in each case in percentages; and what was the amount of fuel oil imported in 1962.
§ The Minister of Power (Mr. Richard Wood)The Answer contains a number of figures and I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. FraserCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the figures disclose that 637 the market for fuel oil is rising very much more rapidly than that for petrol and derv and other refined oils? Does not this lead him to some fear lest there is a shortage of fuel oil in the not very distant future?
§ Mr. WoodThe figures show that there has been a greater increase for fuel oil than for motor spirit and derv, but there has been a very considerable increase on all sides. I think that this shows the need to keep a balance between imported and indigenous fuels. The fact is that we are still producing considerably more refined oil than we are using at home.
§ Following is the Answer:
| Percentage increases over the previous year in the five years 1958 to 1962 are as follows: | |||
| Motor spirit | Derv fuel | Fuel oil* | |
| 1958 | +15.3 | +14.1 | +52.7 |
| 1959 | +7.5 | +11.1 | +30.5 |
| 1960 | +7.0 | +13.4 | +26.3 |
| 1961 | +6.8 | +9.9 | +7.9 |
| 1962 | +5.2 | +7.1 | +13.4 |
| The fuel oil arrivals of 7.3 million tons in 1962 were exceeded by the shipments and bunkers, which totalled 7.7 million tons. | |||
| * Total deliveries of fuel oil. Separate figures for steam-raising are not available. |