§ 25. Mr. Gregoryasked the Minister of Power if he is satisfied with the arrangements within his Department to keep in touch with overseas developments in district heating and total energy schemes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreesonWe fully recognise the potential importance of total energy and district heating schemes and take steps to keep in touch with overseas experience as well as information in the United Kingdom. As an example, I have visited Denmark and Sweden to inspect and discuss a number of such schemes. In addition, there is the normal collection of information in the Department, and my right hon. Friend and I hope to attend an international conference on total energy and district heating in London next April.
§ Mr. GregoryWhile thanking my hon. Friend for that Answer, may I ask him if he is really satisfied with the progress that we have made? Should not we be doing more to match the performance of the Scandinavians in this sphere?
§ Mr. FreesonI am certainly not satisfied with the progress that we have made and I believe that there is considerable scope for enlarging total energy and district heating schemes. It is correct to say that the Scandinavians and other Western European countries are ahead of us in this matter.
§ Mr. PalmerHas his Department any objection to electricity boards proposing schemes for total energy arrangements?
§ Mr. FreesonWe have no objection in principle. These schemes would have to be considered, as they are submitted, by the Electricity Council, the C.E.G.B. and the Department. I have very recently had discussions with representatives of the Electricity Council, and this point was considered.