§ 4. Mr. Laneasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a further statement on fuel supply prospects this winter.
§ 27. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, having regard to the fall in coal output caused by widespread mining strikes, whether he will now make a further statement on electricity supplies for industry, commerce and homes in the forthcoming winter.
§ 44. Mr. Croninasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the present situation with regard to the adequacy of coal stocks for this winter.
§ 49. Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a further statement on the position of coal supplies as a result of industrial action by coal-miners.
§ 81. Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further plans he has to prevent a shortage of winter fuel.
§ Sir J. EdenThe margins for solid fuel, which were already extremely narrow, have been further reduced by the recent unofficial strikes. Direct losses are about 2½ million tons, but the total will be higher. Severe weather or further interruption in supply could, therefore, lead to real difficulties. Supplies of fuel oil, though tight, should be adequate.
§ Mr. LaneI am grateful for that answer. Is it not a fact that, alone among the primary fuel supplying industries, the private enterprise oil companies are achieving a substantial increase in the level of supplies this winter compared with the level forecast in 1967, despite unforeseeable difficulties in several parts of the world?
§ Sir J. EdenYes, the oil companies are certainly bringing the oil which is needed to this country. As my hon. Friend knows, they are experiencing some difficulty because of the rising cost of freight.
§ Sir G. NabarroCan my right hon. Friend say what is the likely effect of the coal shortage on electricity generation during the winter months and to what extent load shedding, which has in the past caused so much hardship, will be indulged in? Having regard to the number of dual-fired power stations in Britain, will those dual-tired stations swing straight over to oil instead of coal should there be any shortage of electricity supplies?
§ Sir J. EdenThe C.E.G.B. coal stocks are below the corresponding figure for this time last year. In its view, even after taking into account further supplies during the rest of this winter, there is no margin to meet any contingency. Therefore, the position is worrying.
§ Mr. EadieWould the Minister not agree that the way to safeguard coal supplies would be to try to inject some confidence into the industry—something that the Minister has signally failed to do to date? Is he not aware that it does not inspire confidence in the industry when the Tory Government give hints that they are prepared to dismantle the coal industry, and that the miners will reject that policy?
§ Sir J. EdenThe Coal Industry Bill will be debated later this week.
§ Mr. SkinnerIn view of the problems of fuel shortages this winter, can the 873 Minister confirm or deny whether Lord Robens has been reappointed for a further five years? Secondly, if Lord Robens has been reappointed, could the Minister say whether Lord Robens will accept the doctrine embodied in the Tories' new Coal Industry Bill?
§ Sir J. EdenAn announcement in answer to this question will be given at the appropriate time.
§ Mr. BennThe Minister made no reference to the technical difficulties with the big 500 mW sets or to the corrosion at the magnox power stations. Could he say what effect this is likely to have on C.E.G.B. performance?
§ Sir J. EdenYes, Sir. Briefly, the technical problems encountered are being overcome. The difficulties experienced by the magnox power stations have been the subject of a report. I hope to be able to answer this matter is slightly more detail during the Second Reading debate on Thursday.
§ Sir G. NabarroOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of those replies, I wish to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.
§ 26. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, having regard to fall in coal output caused by widespread mining strikes, whether he will now make a further statement on winter fuel prospects for industry, commerce and homes.
§ Sir J. EdenThe steel industry is apprehensive about supplies, particularly long term, of coking coal. The margins of foundry coke are very narrow. The difficulties already being experienced with solid smokeless fuels have been made worse. Gas supplies are secure.
§ Sir G. NabarroWhereas we can import coal—and, marginally, are doing so—does not my hon. Friend agree that we can import hardly any electricity? In those circumstances, will he consider giving a direction to the Central Electricity Generating Board that it should have abundant supplies of fuel oil available in order to work every oil-fired station, every dual-fired station on oil and every nuclear station to maximum capacity to 874 avoid the use of coal and to supply enough electricity for the winter months?
§ Sir J. EdenThat is primarily a matter for the Central Electricity Generating Board. Many applications for conversion have already been submitted to me. I am considering them at present.
§ Mr. OgdenDoes not the hon. Member agree that so long as we have the continuing presence of the hon. Member for Worcestershire, South (Sir G. Nabarro) we have no need to import natural gas? In view of the reference in the Question to widespread strikes, will the Minister take the opportunity to pay tribute—overdue tribute—to the organisation and constitution of the National Union of Mineworkers, and its leadership for the bloody hard work that every member of that union undertakes, day after day and year after year?
§ Sir J. EdenI readily pay tribute to the hard work of those who are working in the mines, but the other questions are properly directed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment.