§ 91. Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Minister of Power if he will make a statement on the consultations he has had with the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers on the effect that the large supplies of gas to be obtained from the North Sea will have on the mining industry.
§ Mr. MarshI am in touch with the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers on the North Sea gas discoveries but much more information and study are required before I can assess what would be the effect of large supplies of natural gas on fuel policy and on the mining industry in particular. However, I see no reason to suppose that the country will not continue to need all the coal that can be produced at an economic price.
§ Mr. Lubbockasked the Minister of Power, in view of recent developments in the North Sea gas field, what tonnage of coal he expects to be used in the production of gas in the year 1970; and how this compares with the estimate 222W on which the White Paper on Fuel Policy was based.
§ Mr. MarshThe implications of large supplies of natural gas from the North Sea are being studied. It is too soon to say what the effects might be on the use of other fuels.