HC Deb 05 July 1979 vol 969 cc705-6W
Mr. Forman

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how much oil is used for space heating and water heating purposes in the commercial sector; what proportion of total United Kingdom oil consumption this represents; and what plans the Government have for encouraging or requiring such users to switch to other fuels in such cases.

Mr. Gray

Precise information of the kind requested is not available. During 1978, 1.6 million tonnes of gas/diesel and fuel oils were delivered for central heating purposes in offices, distributive trades, places of entertainment and catering establishments; this was 1.8 per cent. of total deliveries of petroleum products for inland consumption in the United Kingdom during 1978.

In present circumstances, I would expect anyone using oil for heating to be looking closely at the advantages of other fuels. I do not think that any further encouragement is necessary.

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