§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy what will be the total United Kingdom refinery capacity upon completion of the projects for which planning applications are pending; and what estimate he has of the likely demand for refinery capacity at that date.
§ Mr. John SmithIn his statement on refinery policy on 6th December 1974—[Vol. 882, c. 646–8]—my right hon. Friend said that if the projects at Canvey Island and Cliffe went ahead he expected net United Kingdom refinery capacity in the early 1980s to approach 150 million tons a year, and that this should be enough to meet our own needs and provide for some exports. He also said that companies might be able to demonstrate a need for additional projects.
It would, however, be unrealistic to assume that the other refinery projects for which planning applications are outstanding will all go ahead. In particular, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has said that he has it in mind to reject the two applications for refineries at Hunterston.