§ Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will now give details of the Energy Forum to which he referred in his answer to the hon. Member for Derbyshire, South-East (Mr. Rost) on 22nd March.
§ Mr. BennI propose to hold a one-day national energy conference at Church House in London on 22nd June. I am pleased to tell the House that the Conference will be formally opened by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister.
147WI hope to encourage and stimulate discussion amongst representatives of a wide range of interests within the community and to draw on their advice in the formulation of national energy policy.
I believe that the opportunity offered by the conference for a wider debate and expression of views than has hitherto been possible will represent a major step forward in the development of open and informed national discussion on energy matters.
The proposal to hold such a conference has wide support from the industries and unions concerned in the energy sector. I shall, of course, be inviting representatives of this sector to the conference. I am also sending invitations to, among others, the CBI, TUC, Scottish TUC and Wales TUC; to consumer, conservation and environmental interests; and to relevant professional, academic and research bodies. The conference will be open to the Press.