HC Deb 31 July 1974 vol 878 c353W
Mr. Blaker

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the Government supports the idea of the establishment of a European Energy Agency.

Mr. Varley

A European Energy Agency has been tentatively suggested by the EEC Commission as a possible means of implementing its proposed energy strategy policy. At present, the Government see no rôle for the agency, but it is willing to discuss the idea further.

Mr. Blaker

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will make a statement on a common European energy policy.

Mr. Varley

Discussion of the EEC Commission's proposals for a new energy strategy policy took place in the Council of Ministers on 23rd July and will be continued on 16th-17th September.

Mr. Anthony Grant

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the annual energy requirements of the EEC in 1985 in terms of millions of tons; and what percentage of the figure will represent coal, oil, natural gas, hydroelectric power, and nuclear energy, respectively.

Mr. Varley

The Government have made no estimates of annual energy requirements in the EEC in 1985, although they are examining with other member Governments the targets proposed by the Commission in its recent energy strategy document—R/1472/74—a copy of which is available in the Vote Office. Our first impression is that in some respects these targets are over-optimistic.