Smokeless Fuels

HC Deb 10 December 1968 vol 775 cc186-8

14. Mr. J. H. Osborn

asked the Minister of Power what are the existing stocks of smokeless fuels; and if he will tabulate the current stocks of each type and in total, stating where they are located, comparing the position with this time last year, and indicating the current rates of production and consumption of each and in total.

Mr. Freeson

Latest estimates of stocks of solid smokless fuel suitable for domestic use are about 2 million tons, compared with 2. 2 million tons at the corresponding period last year. The annual rate of supply and demand of these fuels is about 8 million tons generally. The availability of particular grades in particular places is a matter for the trade.

Mr. Osborn

What is the position likely to be this winter with stocks of anthracite nut and Phurnacite? Will the Parliamentary Secretary comment on the fact that the increasing use of natural gas will reduce the output from gas works of cheap gas coke, and say what will be the position in years to come?

Mr. Freeson

In reply to the last part of the Question, gas coke will eventually go out of existence. This will take some time. The trade is fully aware of this, and there is contact between the gas industry, the retailers and the distributors on the matter. With regard to the coming winter, while there was serious anxiety in some parts of the country in the South about two months ago, it seems, on the latest information, that the matter will be resolved, so that there will not be overall difficulties during the coming winter.

Mr. R. C. Mitchell

Is the Minister aware that there is still great anxiety in many parts of Southern England whether there will be adequate supplies of smokeless fuel this winter? Will the Minister tell us what representation he has had on this point from the main coal distributors in the area?

Mr. Freeson

In terms of representations, in the plural, the answer is none, but in terms of contact with particular distributors the Department has been in touch with them as well as with the National Coal Board, and it is on the basis of these discussions and the information we have obtained during the last two months that I was able to make the statement which I made a few moments ago about the anxieties which were threatened for this winter not being realised. There will be supplies adequate for the time being.

Sir J. Eden

Since the Minister himself has said that there is likely to be a slight shortage this winter, what will be the effect of this on schools and hospitals in London and the South-East? Surely the run-down in gas coke should have been foreseen and planned for a much longer time ago.

Mr. Freeson

On the latter point, there is notification by the gas industry which varies from one Board to another as the process of switching over from the coal supplied gas to natural gas takes place in different parts of the country. There has been contact between the gas industry on the one hand and the trade on the other. There is no reason to believe that schools and hospitals in the South will run short of supplies. What I said earlier was not that there will be an overall shortage, but that there could be shortages of particular fuels which may be made up by supplies from other sources.

Mr. Speaker

Order. Long answers mean fewer Questions.