§ Mr. Blackburnasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether in connection with the recent curtailment of the coal to oil conversion scheme for industry, any steps have been taken to cancel or discourage those conversion schemes where fuel oil does not show up to the best advantage and to give priority to those schemes in which the use of oil can effect a greater economy in operation than coal.
Mr. GaltskellI presume my hon. Friend is referring to the warning which, as I explained in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Royton (Mr. Sutcliffe) on 30th October, the Petroleum Board has given to certain firms whose 147W conversions were due to take effect this winter to continue to use coal until oil supplies can be guaranteed. This action was necessary because the rate of conversion was exceeding the rate at which oil distribution facilities could be provided. Accordingly the firms approached were those whose schemes were in the least advanced state, and the deferment of which would do most to ease the strain on distribution facilities.