§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much methane (CH4) was consumed by British industry in 1972 ; what percentage of this was derived from crude oil ; how much he estimates will be needed by British industry in 1974, on the basis of the Government's current economic plans ; and what is the current price elasticity of methane derived from crude oil as against methane derived from other sources.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanVirtually all Methane consumed by industry is in the form of natural gas. In 1972 consumption by manufacturing industry amounted to 3,320 million therms. None of this was derived from crude oil. Consumption of natural gas by industry in 1974 will be dependent on a number of factors influencing supply and demand, and I do not consider that it would be helpful to publish any estimate out of the context in which it was prepared. So far as price elasticity of methane is concerned, I should not expect this to vary according to its derivation.
§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much 262W ethylene (C2H4) was consumed by British industry in 1972 ; what percentage of this was derived from crude oil ; how much he estimates will be needed by British industry in 1974, on the basis of the Government's current economic plans ; and what is the current price elasticity of ethylene derived from crude oil as against ethylene derived from other sources.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanInformation about the consumption of ethylene is not available, but production amounted to 1.1 million tonnes in 1972. This is mostly consumed in the United Kingdom and is derived entirely from crude oil. No estimate is available of demand in 1974.
§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much propylene (C3H6) was consumed by British industry in 1972 ; what percentage of this was derived from crude oil ; how much he estimates will be needed by British industry in 1974, on the basis of the Government's current economic plans ; and what is the current price elasticity of propylene derived from crude oil as against propylene derived from other sources.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanIt is estimated that 555,000 tonnes of propylene was consumed by British industry in 1972, all of which was derived from crude oil. No estimate is available of demand in 1974.
§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much benzene (C6H6) was consumed by British industry in 1972 ; what percentage of this was derived from crude oil ; how much he estimates will be needed by British industry in 1974, on the basis of the Government's current economic plans ; and what is the current price elasticity of benzene derived from crude oil as against benzene derived from other sources.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanInformation about the consumption of benzene and its price elasticity is not available. In 1972 over 80 per cent. of the total output of benzene in the United Kingdom was derived from crude oil. No estimate is available of demand in 1974.
§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much butylene (C4H8) was consumed by 263W British industry in 1972 ; what percentage of this was derived from crude oil ; how much he estimates will be needed by British industry in 1974, on the basis of the Government's current economic plans ; and what is the current price elasticity of butylene derived from crude oil as against butylene derived from other sources.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanInformation about the quantity of butylene consumed and future demand in the United Kingdom is not available, but crude oil is the sole source of production in this country.