§ Mr. Adam Butlerasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he expects supplies of smokeless fuel to be adequate for the winter of 1971–72 ; how he anticipates demand rising in the next year ; and by how much he expects production to increase, or decrease, in the public and private sector, respectively.
§ Mr. RidleyForecasting future demand is subject to many unavoidable uncertainties, but producers and merchants are confident that they can meet next winter's needs so long as weather is not exceptionally severe and that supplies are not seriously affected by industrial dis-18W putes. During 1971–72 production in the gas industry is likely to decrease by 900,000 tons while increases are expected in the remainder of the public sector of 500,000 tons and in the private sector of 600,000 tons.