HC Deb 10 March 1965 vol 708 cc113-4W
Mr. McGuire

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what is the cost to the balance of payments of heating public buildings by oil.

Mr. C. Pannell

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to my right hon. Friend the Member for Derby, South (Mr. Philip Noel-Baker) on Monday, 8th March.

Mr. McGuire

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works (1) what policy he has for converting oil-burning installations in Government buildings to coal, in order to give help to the balance of payments;

(2) in view of the concern over the balance of payments, if he will ensure that new premises under his jurisdiction use home-produced coal in preference to imported fuel.

Mr. C. Pannell

Where existing installations under my jurisdiction, whether coal or oil burning, need to be replaced, either for technical or economic reasons, a most careful and thorough comparison of the economics of coal and oil is made, taking both capital and running costs into account and on the assumption that any coal firing equipment used would be modern and efficient. Other things being equal, preference is given to coal.

The choice of an installation in new premises is governed by the same considerations.