§ Q12. Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Prime Minister whether he is satisfied that the co-ordination between Departments to maintain supplies and services in severe weather conditions worked effectively last winter; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterYes. Although last winter was the most severe since 1962–63 and the snowiest since 1947, supplies of fuel and power were maintained, and the interruptions to road, rail and air transport were minor and were quickly overcome. The percentage margin of electricity capacity over average cold spell conditions last winter was about 18 per cent; the comparable figure for previous years over the period 1961–67 varied between 3 and 16.5 per cent. In the case of gas, availability exceeded demand last winter by about 36 per cent; the comparable figure over the period 1962–67 varied between 1.5 and 34.5 per cent. Credit is due to the fuel and transport industries, and to the local authorities, which were able to act promptly on warnings from the Meteorological Office, but an important factor was the continuing watch which the Government initiated from 1965 onwards over winter plans and their effectiveness in practice.