§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Minister of Power what directions have been given to the Electricity Generating Board to take more coal than would be economic for the Board to use; and how the extra cost is to be met.
§ Mr. Marsh:I have asked the C.E.G.B. to use as much extra coal as practicable in the current financial year and I am discussing with them how much extra they will use next year. The extra costs 625W involved will be reimbursed in accordance with the provisions of the Coal Industry Act, 1967.
§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Minister of Power what is his estimate of the extent to which the demand for coal by the Central Electricity Generating Board is likely to increase or decrease during the next 10 years.
§ Mr. Marsh:The trend of demand for coal by the C.E.G.B. over the next 10 years will depend on a number of factors including particularly the growth of electricity consumption and the commissioning of new plant, but my hon. Friend may find it helpful to refer to Chapter 3 and Appendix 1 of the Fuel Policy White Paper (Cmnd. 3438).
§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Minister of Power what is the cost to the Central Electricity Generating Board arising from the increase in the price of coal in April, 1966.
§ Mr. Freeson:The C.E.G.B. indicated in its annual report for 1966–67 (page 4) that increases in the prices of coal during 1966–67 caused heat costs to rise by nearly £30 million compared with 1965–66.