§ Mr. Pardoeasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied with the reduction in the consumption of imported energy in the United Kingdom, in the 169W light of the reduction achieved in other industrial countries; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EadieThe main form of energy imported by the United Kingdom is crude oil. Arrivals during January to August 1975 were 20 per cent. below arrivals during the same period in 1974. Demand for energy is affected both by conscious efforts to save energy and by numerous other factors, including the level of industrial activity and the weather. I am satisfied that the Government's energy conservation campaign has made a significant contribution to the reduction in demand, but we shall continue to seek ways of realising the further substantial savings that are possible.
The only corresponding information readily available from other industrialised countries is that published by the Statistical Office of the European Communities. According to the latest Press notice from this source, imports of crude oil during January to August by Germany and France—the only other countries for which figures were given for that period—fell by 16 per cent. and 21 per cent. respectively.