§ 25. Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the consumption of oil by the CEGB for each of the last five years.
| Year | Oil Consumption (million tons) |
| 1968–69 | 5.2 |
| 1969–70 | 7.5 |
| 1970–71 | 11.1 |
| 1971–72 | 13.0 |
| 1972–73 | 14.6 |
§ Mr. WainwrightWhat is the amount of coal consumed by the power stations? Is it true that there has been a reduction in that amount over the past three years? Does the hon. Gentleman recollect that on 1st June the Prime Minister said that the CEGB would be able to burn all the coal likely to be produced by pits in this country? Is he aware that stocks are growing and that 35 million tons of coal are now in stock? When are we to make certain that the coal mining industry is 1021 made fully aware of the Government's policy? Why cannot we have coal-fired power stations? Why cannot new pits be sunk?
§ Mr. EmeryOffhand, I cannot give the five-year figures, but I will certainly send them to the hon. Gentleman. Only about 20 per cent. of the CEGB current capacity is oil-fired and 70 per cent. is coal fired. That ensures that there is reasonable flexibility. The CEGB considers it necessary to have a proper balance of all forms of firing.
§ Sir G. NabarroI endorse the wisdom of my hon. Friend's reply, but will he now confirm that all available coal in the foreseeable future—that is, in the next few years—will be available for burning under power station boilers and that the CEGB will not resort to oil fuel unless that is absolutely necessary?
§ Mr. EmeryI do not have to point out to my hon. Friend that the decision must rest on the comparative prices of the fuels.
§ Mr. EadieAs we have today heard allegations that the CEGB is pretty bloody-minded about coal-fired power stations, would it not help the CEGB to decide about oil if the Minister were to make a statement about the information. now filtering through, that the landing of North Sea oil will be behind schedule, mainly because of technological difficulties?
§ Mr. EmeryAt the moment there is no need for any slow-up in the landing of North Sea oil. The CEGB certainly takes the national interest into account, and, the Government when they are reviewing any application, of course regard the national interest as absolutely overriding.