§ 70. Mr. Marksasked the Minister of Power whether he is satisfied that supplies of gas coke or Phimax will be sufficient to meet demands in smoke control areas approved before October, 1963, in accordance with assurances given to the public at that time by his Department; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreesonThe assurance given referred to the whole range of smokeless solid fuels. Supplies of gas cokes will decline and eventually disappear, due to increased use of oil to manufacture gas and the arrival of gas from the North Sea. In spite of this, supplies of solid smokeless fuels as a whole are expected to be adequate to meet the needs of smoke control areas. I am aware of anxiety in my hon. Friend's constituency over prospective gas coke supplies and244W would suggest that the local authority pursues inquiries with producers and distributors of alternative smokeless fuels.