§ 8. Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the total volume of annual production of oil, natural gas and coal in the United Kingdom in 1975 and in 1980.
§ Mr. BennIn 1975 the production of oil is estimated to be between 1 million and 2 million tons, and natural gas is expected to be approaching 4,000 million cu. ft. per day. Estimates of the future annual production of oil and natural gas are given in the Brown Book "Development of Oil and Gas Resources of the United Kingdom" published by the Department of Energy. The production of oil is estimated to rise to between 100 million and 130 million tons in 1980 and natural gas production is expected to rise to 5,000 million cu. ft. per day. In 1975, coal production is expected to be about 125 million tons. The future level of coal production is discussed in the "Coal Industry Examination" reports. It is expected that production will be about 135 million tons in 1980.
§ Mr. HardyI am most grateful to my right hon. Friend for that important answer. Will he confirm that there is a strong possibility, even if tight energy conservation policies are pursued, that the United Kingdom can export substantial quantities of offshore oil, even if this is merely on the basis of an exchange for less valuable oil of an inferior quality?
§ Mr. BennAs our oil production builds up to self-sufficiency and beyond, it is envisaged that the different grades of oil that we shall need will permit us to enter into the world trade in oil. If that is the point that my hon. Friend has in mind, I can give him that assurance.