§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the cost in foreign exchange over the last 12-month period for which statistics are available of imported oil for use in electricity generation; and how this compares with the previous 12-month period.
§ Dr. J. Dickson MabonOil fuel—almost entirely heavy fuel oil—used by the public electricity generating system amount to 11.1 million tons in the 12 months ending April 1976 and 15.7 million tons in the 12 months ending April 1975. This oil was derived mainly from crude oil refined in this country and it is not possible to calculate the foreign exchange cost separately of each refined petroleum product. Some fuel oil, not necessarily for electricity generation, was imported directly during the two periods —3.6 million tons in the year ending April 1976 and 6.2 million tons in the year ending April 1975, at average values, cif, of £33.8 a ton and £30.0 a ton, respectively.