§ 28. Mr. Astorasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the increased consumption of fuel oil consequent upon the conversion of industrial plant to fuel oil since 1945; the cost in hard currency of bringing into the United Kingdom the additional fuel oil for conversion of industrial plant; and whether the figures for the saving of petrol due to the abolition of the basic ration were reached after deducting the additional petroleum oil imported into the country for conversion of industrial plant.
§ Mr. RobensIt is estimated that the consumption of fuel oil by industrial plants increased by approximately 2.2 million tons between May, 1946, and the end of March, 1948, as the result of the conversion schemes. Up till April, 1947, no dollar expenditure was incurred, but since then there have been imports from dollar sources to the value of about £3.8 million. The answer to the third part of the Question is, "No."