§ Mr. Mike Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his Department's estimate of the savings in energy and cost terms that would be made if a cut of 10 per cent. on 1974 levels of consumption of electricity, oil and gas, respectively, were made between 1st January and 30th June 1975.
§ Mr. VarleyMy Department estimates that an across-the-board cut of 10 per cent. in the consumption of electricity, oil and gas on the 1974 level of consumption would produce an energy saving of about 8 million tons of oil equivalent over a period of six months from 1st January to 30th June. The saving from such a cut might be about £300 million on fuel and operating costs. These estimates do not allow for consequential adjustments to the energy market and power generation patterns or for the cost effect of social and economic repercussions.