§ Sir R. Glynasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the estimated increase of fuel oil for firing boilers and operating prime movers as a result of the shortage of coal for industrial and domestic purposes since 1st January, 1947; what does this represent as regards additional tanker tonnage; and to what extent does this increase in heavy oil stocks reduce the quantity of motor spirit available to the public through the shortage of tankers to convey refined spirit.
§ Mr. GaitskellThe total increase in deliveries of fuel oil for burning and power usage in the United Kingdom since 1st January, 1947, has been approximately two million tons. The greater part of this increase can be attributed to shortage of coal. Carriage of this quantity of oil represents the use of about 20 T.2-type tankers in continuous service on a Persian Gulf-U.K. voyage basis or about 14 ships on Caribbean-U.K. voyage basis. The quantity of motor spirit available to the public has not been affected as a result of this increased fuel oil requirement.