§ 23. Mr. G. Elfed Daviesasked the Minister of Power whether he is satisfied that the present measures of protection for the coal industry enable advantage to be taken of the use of indigenous fuel; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MasonYes, Sir. The measures of direct assistance for the coal industry constitute a massive degree of protection which ensures that coal is used to the maximum extent compatible with the national interest. It is partly as a result that our economy is more coal intensive than that of any other major industrial country in the free world.
§ Mr. DaviesWill my right hon. Friend give comparisons of coal utilisation between the United Kingdom and other major industrial countries?
§ Mr. MasonThe proportion of coal in total energy consumption in the United Kingdom is 55 per cent., in Germany, including lignite, 47 per cent., in Japan 35 per cent., in France 33 per cent. and in America 21 per cent.