§ 11. Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the total tonnage and value of imported crude oil into the United Kingdom during each of the past four years; and if he will also give the corresponding figures of exported crude oil in 1976 and 1977.
§ Mr. MeacherWith permission, I will circulate this information in the Official Report.
§ Mr. WainwrightDoes my hon. Friend agree that the exporting of oil is rather easy and therefore has increased because our supplies have been there? Because it is easy to export oil, does that mean that our exporters are not interested in the other forms of energy, such as coal? Why do we not put some pressure on our EEC friends to purchase coal from this country, and therefore give some help to miners' morale?
§ Mr. MeacherNorth Sea oil is a premium crude with a very low sulphur content. While there is demand in the United Kingdom for this product to a degree, it certainly cannot be fully absorbed in the United Kingdom, and a certain amount is bound to be exported. I do not think that this in any way discriminates against attempts to maximise the export of coal. Although this is primarily a matter for the Department of Energy, I understand that we do all we can to promote exports of coal to the EEC and elsewhere.
Following is the information:The quantity of crude oil imported in the years 1974 to 1977 in thousands of tons was 111,454; 87,117 87,219; and 69,133 respectively. The value of these imports cif in millions of pounds was 3,856; 3,461; 4,582 and 4,094 respectively. Exports in 1976 were 3,344 thousand tons valued at £182 million fob, increasing in 1977 to 15,046 thousand tons valued at £916 million fob.