HC Deb 13 October 1975 vol 897 cc644-5W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what effect he expects the recommendations of the Building Research Establishment encouraging home owners to change from electricity to gas for all new cooking and heating appliances will have on electricity demand and consumption.

Mr. Benn

A number of factors affect the market shares of particular fuels in individual sectors; among them are relative prices, convenience and availability. The rapid expansion of natural gas has already led to its taking an increased share especially of the domestic market where it now accounts for about 45 per cent. of the total. In view of the many considerations involved, it is not possible to say how far the conclusions of the Building Research Establishment would influence the established trends in electricity demand and consumption.