§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) whether his Department, for the purpose of evolving his energy conservation strategy, has available a list of CEGB coal and oil-burning power stations in merit order of thermal efficiency;
(2) whether his Department, for the purpose of evolving his energy conservation strategy, is aware of how many new 426W coal and oil-burning power stations are under construction or planned which will combine electricity with heat production;
(3) whether his Department, for the purpose of evolving his energy conservation strategy, has available a list of CEGB power stations which combine the sale of heat and electricity.
§ Mr. EadieYes. It is, however, the convention to refer Questions asking for this type of information to the chairman of the nationalised industry concerned.
§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Energy why it is not practicable to make consent for the commissioning of a new power station conditional upon the harnessing of reject heat.
§ Mr. EadieAs the hon. Member knows, the Government and the electricity industry are studying the economics of combined heat and power and the possibilities for the greater use of reject heat. Complex problems are involved. It would not be realistic to make consent for power stations conditional upon the harnessing of reject heat, because each proposal has to be considered on its merits in the light of the economics involved and the potential demand from other bodies for the reject heat.