HC Deb 14 November 1968 vol 773 cc148-9W
Mr. Swain

asked the Minister of Power what is his estimate for the import of oil in 1973, 1974 and 1975, using 1968 as 100.

Mr. Mason

I cannot usefully add to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Midlothian (Mr. Eadie) on 5th November.—[Vol. 772, c.44.]

Mr. Swain

asked the Minister of Power what price he estimates will be paid per ton of oil in the next seven years.

Mr. Mason

I would refer my hon. Friend to paragraph 53 of Cmnd. 3439.

Mr. Swain

asked the Minister of Power what effect he estimates oil imports will have on our balance of payments by 1975.

Mr. Mason

This will depend on the growth of oil consumption, much of which is for uses where oil has no real substitute.

Mr. Swain

asked the Minister of Power what effect he estimates further imports of oil will have on the programming of nuclear energy, natural gas and coal.

Mr. Mason

Oil is essential for some purposes, such as transport, where increasing use has no effect on other fuels. In other markets increasing use of natural gas and, to some extent, nuclear power, will check the growth of oil, rather than vice versa.