§ 9. Mr. Leighasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he makes of the prospective benefits of lignite deposits for the economy of Northern Ireland.
§ Dr. BoysonThe major benefit of lignite in Northern Ireland will be derived from its use in the generation of electricity. It offers the possibility of transforming electricity generation costs in Northern Ireland from their present high level to among the lowest in the United Kingdom and in Europe.
§ Mr. LeighBearing in mind the high energy costs in the Province, may I ask what progress is being made and what savings are hoped to be made by using lignite for the generation of electricity?
§ Dr. BoysonOn my hon. Friend's second point, I have seen estimates that the electricity costs in Northern Ireland could be reduced to 40 per cent. of existing costs, if lignite were used for some years. On his first point, early this summer there should be a report from the Northern Ireland Electricity Service about the possibility of building a minemouth lignite generation station at Crumlin, so that lignite will not have to be processed and can be used immediately, whereupon the Government must make a decision with the Northern Ireland Electricity Service about the speed at which we can proceed to build that station.