§ 23. Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Energy what calculations his 7W Department has made about the emergence of an energy gap in terms of the supply of fossil fuels; and when this gap is estimated to occur in the light of present knowledge about oil, gas and coal reserves.
§ Mr. OakesIndigenous fossil fuel supplies could fall short of home demand towards the end of the century. The uncertainties surrounding any such fore-cast are necessarily very great. Next week's National Energy Conference will provide a valuable opportunity for an exchange of views on the prospects.
CURRENT DOMESTIC TARIFFS (Quarterly charges in pence) Gold Star General Credit Rate per therm Prepayment Rate per therm Region Rate per therm Standing charge Initial* number of therms Further therms Standing charge First 39 therms Further therms Natntral gas North Thames … 12.2 550 19.7 14.7 125 25.7 20.7 South Eastern … Southern … Eastern … South Western … 200 27.2 Wales … Scottish … Northern … 300 17.2 100 22.2 18.2 North Eastern … North Western … East Midlands … 11.7 16.2 20.2 16.7 West Midlands … 20.2 Manufactured gas† Scottish … 13.33 550 20.26 15.26 200 27.76 21.26 North Thames … 12.77 20.27 15.27 125 26.27 21.27 West Midlands … 11.70 300 16.20 14.70 100 20.20 20.20 Source: British Gas Corporation.
* The initial number of therms is 100 except for the North-Eastern and North-Western Regions where the initial numbers are 150 and 130 respectively.
† Manufactured gas is now sold only in the three regions shown.