§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Energy how much extra oil has been used in the current year to date to blend with coal burnt in power stations; and if he will estimate its effect on sulphur and other discharges into the atmosphere.
§ Mr. GoodladThe amount of oil burnt with coal in public sector power stations in England and Wales is an operational matter for the Central Electricity Generating Board. On the basis of equivalent heat content, the average amount of sulphur in fuel oil and in coal is very similar. The substitution of oil for coal in power stations is thus unlikely to have a significant effect on sulphur and other discharges into the atmosphere. Discharges into the atmosphere will continue to be subject to monitoring by Her Majesty's Alkali and Clean Air Inspectorate.
§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Energy, further to his reply dated 15 November, Official Report, column 335, concerning the price of fuel deliverd to power stations, whether he will provide separate figures for heavy fuel oil.
§ Mr. GoodladSeparate figures for heavy fuel oil are not readily available.