§ 16. Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Energy what part he intends the coal industry to play in his plans to promote Energy Efficiency Year.
§ Mr. David HuntThe NCB already promotes new energy-efficient technology and will continue to do so and to participate in relevant initiatives during Energy Efficiency Year. In common with the other major fuel industries, the NCB has agreed to make widespread use of the "Monergy" logo in its advertising, and is already doing so.
§ Mr. DaviesWhat is the Minister's response to the European Community's plans to increase dependency on coal imported from outside the Community? Does he not recognise that an increasing dependency on high-cost, low-quality coal will inevitably mean a lower level of efficiency than would be achieved by using higher quality home-produced coal?
§ Mr. HuntThe hon. Gentleman forgets that under this Government we have moved from being a net importer of coal to a net exporter. Sadly, much time and effort was lost by the tragic strike that occurred in the industry. It is about time that the hon. Gentleman remembered that.
§ Mr. JesselIf we want to save energy in Energy Efficiency Year, is it not time that we all stopped wasting energy with endless arguments about who knew what and when?