§ Mr. Jon Owen JonesTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the current costs of producing a unit of electricity by(a) coal, (b) gas, (c) nuclear and (d) wind, respectively: and what are the projected costs over the next decade.
§ Mr. EggarThe comparable capital and full fuel costs per kilowatt-hour of power stations using coal, gas and nuclear fuels depend significantly upon the contractual terms of fuel purchase, and the contractual terms under which the power station is to be constructed and operated. These are commercial matters for the companies concerned. As far as electricity is concerned it is up to the Director General of Electricity Supply to ensure that the regional electricity companies comply with their economic purchasing obligations. My Department will, however, be assessing the evidence available on the comparative economics of coal as against other sources as part of the Government's review.
Cost data for wind energy are likely to be given in the report of the Renewable Energy Advisory Group, which I hope to receive shortly, and which I expect to be published soon afterwards.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the cost of electricity for manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom and in each of the other European Community countries.
§ Mr. Eggar[holding answer 26 October 1992]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) on 26 October, Official Report, columns 518–20.