§ 13. Sir G. Sinclairasked the Minister of Power to what extent the estimates in the Fuel Policy White Paper of November, 1967, formed the basis of the energy assumptions embodied in the general economic forecasts published in the Green Paper at the end of February.
§ Mr. MasonParagraphs 5 and 6 of Chapter 8 of the Green Paper describe the assumptions about energy demand used in it.
§ Sir G. SinclairIn view of the divergence of the Green and White Papers, does the Minister not see some usefulness in bringing up to date Table D and publishing it annually?
§ Mr. MasonNot having in mind precisely what Table D is, all I can say is that there is very little divergence between the Green Paper and the estimates of demand in the Fuel Policy White Paper. They are running fairly well in line.
§ Sir G. SinclairBut that is not true for coal.
§ Mr. EmeryAs there is a difference—and the Minister will realise that there is—may we be told which we are now to take as authoritative, the Green or the White Paper?
§ Mr. MasonThe estimates in the Fuel Policy White Paper and the slight variations in the Green Paper show that nuclear power and North Sea gas are coming on stream a little slower than we expected, coal has recently made a slight revival, and oil is coming in a little faster than we had in mind.