§ 27. Sir D. Rentonasked the Minister of Power whether he will take steps to reduce the United Kingdom's dependence on imported oil.
§ Mr. FreesonNo, Sir.
§ Sir D. RentonWould it not be an aim of the forthcoming survey of fuel resources to consider how we can save foreign exchange by importing less oil? Will the hon. Gentleman say whether any steps are being taken to find an alternative to petroleum for the firing of motor vehicles of all kinds?
§ Mr. FreesonThe right hon. and learned Member will, no doubt, know that the latter point is a matter not for my Department, but for the Ministry of Technology. As to the first point, he will also be aware that we are undertaking a comprehensive fuel policy review, which will take into account our future needs concerning oil and petroleum.
§ Mr. WhitakerAs cheap natural gas would save us an enormous amount of foreign exchange which is spent on importing oil, is it not doubly contrary to the public interest for the oil companies to be keeping the price so high for their own reasons?
§ Mr. FreesonThe price is not so far being kept high for their own reasons. The negotiations have not been concluded. In reply to the first point, we should keep the matter in perspective. While there is a great future for natural gas, there is no doubt that it will still be a relatively small proportion of the country's total fuel requirements.