HC Deb 21 June 1966 vol 730 cc268-9
22. Mr. Alison

asked the Minister of Power whether, in the light of its nearness to the Humber off-shore gas finds, he has received proposals for the conversion of the new power station under construction at Drax, near Selby, to burn natural gas.

Mr. Marsh

No, Sir.

Mr. Alison

Will the Minister consider taking the initiative and inviting such a proposal? Does he realise that if we fire Drax through gas we could export the coal which is at present planned to be brought into this station, so that it would be more economical to send the coal to Hamburg and bring the gas to Drax?

Mr. Marsh

Before many more hon. Members work out how we should use the natural gas which we have not yet got they should wait to see how much is there. One cannot in the present position talk about where one sites power stations on the basis of an as yet unknown quantity, when we are not sure of how we would like to use it.