§ 9. Mr. Warbeyasked the Minister of Power whether he has considered the Memorandum on Europe's energy requirements, prepared by the National Coal Board and the West European Coal Producers and submitted to him by the Board; and whether, in view of the main conclusions regarding the necessity for a policy of coal conservation through continuous production and for an expansion of output during the next decade and beyond, he will make the necessary changes in Government policy.
§ Mr. WoodI have considered the memorandum, but I see no reason to depart from the policies which I announced last July after I had reviewed with the Board the prospects for coal in this country.
§ Mr. WarbeyDoes the Minister's reply mean that he rejects the main general conclusion of this memorandum—that the coal industries of this country and Western Europe, far from looking forward to a contraction during the next two decades, should plan for an expansion of output above the existing level? Does he accept or reject that conclusion? If he accepts it, what steps is he taking to ensure that there are revised plans for coal output in the coming years?
§ Mr. WoodIf the hon. Member considers the memorandum carefully, he will appreciate that no separate forecast is made of the size of the coal industry in Great Britain. The arguments within the memorandum, very important arguments, were taken into account and were very much in my mind when I agreed coal policies with the National Coal Board last year. I do not believe, therefore, that the memorandum requires any redefinition of these policies or, as the hon. Member suggests, any changes in Government policy on this matter.