HC Deb 24 February 1949 vol 461 cc328-9W
96. Mr. Erroll

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what were the figures of consumption of fuel oil by separate industries during 1948; and what changes in these figures are contemplated during 1949.

Mr. Robens

The available information on the consumption of fuel oil by separate industries covers only those firms which have actually converted from coal to oil burning since the commencement of the coal-oil conversion scheme and which individually used more than 100 tons of coal per annum before converting. I am, however, circulating this information below. As regards the current year, I am not yet in a position to state what changes in fuel oil consumption may occur.

The following is the information:

Consumption of Fuel Oil in 1948.
Industries Thousand tons
Iron and steel 774
Engineering, ship-building, electrical goods and vehicles 363
Chemical and allied trades 262
Agriculture, food, drink and tobacco 194
Textiles, leather and clothing 192
Glass 123
Paper and printing 83
Building materials, etc. 23
Other industries 96
2,110

In addition, about one million tons of fuel oil was consumed, by firms which were using fuel oil before the commencement of the coal/oil conversion scheme or used individually less than 100 tons of coal per annum before becoming fuel oil consumers.