HC Deb 02 July 1951 vol 489 c195W
Mrs. Castle

asked the Minister of Agriculture what has been the annual consumption of coal and other fuels by the horticultural industry during the past three years; what percentage of this consumption has been used in the production of tomatoes and cucumbers in heated glasshouses; and what has been the cost of such fuel in each case.

Mr. T. Williams

I have no detailed information, but the total fuel consumption of the glasshouse industry is estimated to be of the following order:

Thousands of tons
1948–49 1949–50 1950–51
Coal, including anthracite 430 370 380
Coke 80 130 120
Fuel Oil 6 7 12
Total 516 507 512

The percentage of the consumption used in the production of tomatoes and cucumbers in heated glasshouses in each of these years is approximately 90 per cent., 87 per cent. and 82 per cent. The information asked for in the last part of the Question cannot be given as the cost of the fuel used varies considerably on different holdings and in different parts of the country.