§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the report he has received from the Institute of Geological Sciences on the potential of oil shales in Great Britain; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. GrayThe report records the results of a study carried out by the Institute of Geological Sciences of the Natural Environment Research Council into the potential of oil shales onshore in the United Kingdom as a source256W of oil or as a fuel. Its principal conclusion is that oil shales could never, even under the most favourable economic circumstances, make a major contribution to the energy supply of the United Kingdom.
The report recommends that research into oil shale utilisation would not be justified in view of the small potential of United Kingdom shales. I accept this recommendation. The report also suggests that a watching brief should be maintained on oil shale developments world-wide, and that the establishment of an organic geochemistry unit to interpret data on British organic-rich rocks, including oil shales and other natural oil source rocks, should be considered. These suggestions have been discussed with the council, which already monitors progress on oil shale and mineral developments world-wide and which carries out some organic geochemistry work. I have concluded that in the circumstances it is not necessary for my Department to undertake further work on these matters.
The report is a significant contribution to the study of the potential of United Kingdom oil shales. I have therefore agreed with the council that it should make the report available to anyone who wishes to consult it. Copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.