§ Mr. Albert Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he is taking to bring about a comprehensive energy policy to meet the future demands by industry with a view to obtaining stability and competitiveness.
§ Mr. BennThe governing assumptions and methods by which energy policy has developed over past years now need to be re-examined in the light of changing circumstances. New criteria, for example, the need for long-term conservation measures and the need to develop all the fuel industries on a secure basis to meet the expected energy gap in the 1990s and beyond, are required. The key rôle of Government in developing an integrated energy policy in conjunction with 475W the industries and those that work in them also requires further consideration. This should be done as publicly as possible so that the interests of domestic and industrial consumers long term, as well as short term can be safeguarded, along with the interests of supplying industries, and the community as a whole. I intend to proceed on this basis.
SURPLUS/DEFICIT (AFTER INTEREST AND TAXATION) £m. (actual 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 British Gas Corporation 2.0 3.3 4.9 9.6 15.2 Electricity Council and Boards (England and Wales) 16.3 26.9 42.5 70.4 64.1 National Coal Board -21.3 -15.0 1.4 0.1 0.5 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 British Gas Corporation 11.1 3.9 -12.9 17.5 13.7 Electricity Council and Boards (England and Wales) 84.7 20.6 55.0 100.6 64.5 National Coal Board -24.8 0.3 0.4 -8.9 -26.1 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 British Gas Corporation 2.0 15.1 5.6 -41.5 -42.3 Electricity Council and Boards (England and Wales) -55.8 -23.3 2.0 -176.3 -257.6 National Coal Board 0.5 -157.0 -83.6 -130.7 0 Capital Write Offs 1965–66 1972–73 National Coal Board 299.4* 275.1† Notes to Table: (a) Figures are for financial years ending March, except that those for the National Coal Board from 1960 to 1963 relate to calendar years. (b) Figures are before Government grants to meet deficits on revenue account or in respect of price restraint, but after grants for specific purposes. *Accumulated revenue losses of £90.8 million up to the end of March 1965 and £24.8 million in 1965–66 were also written off. †£174.5 million was also written off for accumulated revenue losses to the end of March 1973.