§ 11.9 a.m.
§ Viscount Hanworth asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ What powers they now have to prevent the excessive use of limited natural gas resources, particularly in large new power stations.
§ Viscount DavidsonMy Lords, gas burn in power stations is regulated under the Energy Act 1976 which implements Directive 75/404/EEC. There is no restriction on gas burn in power stations below 10 megawatts. Above this level, application must be made to the Secretary of State for Energy, who will consider each case on its merits.
§ Viscount HanworthMy Lords, I thank the Minister for his reply. However, can he assure me that there will be no difference in the requirement for the Government to give permission after the electricity industry is privatised?
§ Viscount DavidsonMy Lords, the noble Viscount will I am sure be pleased to hear that my honourable friend Mr. Morrison announced yesterday that he had given his consent for the proposed 290 megawatt power station at Leicester, which is a combined heat and power plant to be fired by gas. This follows the approval given on 9th May for the 1,000 megawatt gas-fired power station at Barking. I can assure the noble Viscount that the situation will be no different after privatisation.
The Earl of HalsburyMy Lords, will the noble Viscount ask his colleagues to bear in mind that gas is of quite unique value to the housewife and the householder for cooking, central heating, and so on; therefore we should not allow our reserves to be diminished so fast that sooner or later the housewife will have nothing to cook with?
§ Viscount DavidsonMy Lords, that was the purpose behind the EC directive.