§ Mr. Rowlandsasked the Secretary of State for Energy what estimate he has made of the United Kingdom's contribution to the International Energy Agency's commitment to reduce members' demand for oil by 2.2 million barrels a day; and how he intends to achieve that contribution.
§ Mr. GrayThe United Kingdom oil industry has been asked to make maximum use of stocks in the coming months in order to reduce pressure on world oil markets. Forecasts are that United Kingdom stock drawdown in the first quarter of 1981 will be greater than normal. We expect that this, combined with the continuing buildup of North Sea production and a declining level of consumption, will make a significant contribution to the IEA's commitment. Current estimates indicate that in the first quarter of 1981 United Kingdom demand for oil on the world market pay be about 250,000 barrels per day less than in the corresponding period last year.
§ Mr. Rowlandsasked the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of primary energy demand within the international Energy Agency countries was covered by oil in 1975 and 1980; and what estimate he has made of that percentage for 1985.
§ Mr. GrayThe latest available figures relate to 1978. In that year petrolum accounted for 51.5 per cent. of total energy requirements in the member countries of the International Energy Agency. The comparable figure for 1975 was 50.8 per cent. Forecasts contained in "Energy Policies and Programmes of IEA countries—1979 Review" indicate that the proportion will fall to 47 per cent. in 1985.