§ Mr. Kelleyasked the Minister of Technology if he will give an assurance that he will not announce his decision with regard to the fuel to be used by the new Tilbury power station during a Parliamentary Recess.
§ Mr. BennI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Rhondda, East (Mr. G. Elfed Davies) today.
§ Mr. G. Elfed Daviesasked the Minister of Technology if he has yet taken a decision on the Central Electricity Generating Board's applications to convert Tilbury B to oil firing and Hams Hall C to dual-firing.
§ Mr. BennYes. After discussion with the C.E.G.B. and the N.C.B., I have told the Boards that I am not in present circumstances prepared to consent to the conversion of Tilbury B to oil firing; but that if the C.E.G.B. and the gas industry reach agreement on a supply of natural gas on terms which would not preclude a resumption of coal-burning at reasonable notice, I shall be prepared to give my consent to the conversion of Hams Hall C to dual-firing with coal and natural gas.
In the past year coal supply has fallen short of demand and some 10 million tons 506W have been withdrawn from N.C.B. stocks. On present estimates, the C.E.G.B. will still require more coal than can be made available from current production in the coming year, and a substantial further stock lift is expected.
I am satisfied, on the advice of both the N.C.B. and the C.E.G.B., that the proposed conversion of Hams Hall C will help to introduce a desirable measure of extra flexibility into the C.E.G.B.'s fuel supplies without prejudicial effect on the coal mining industry.