asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the estimated cost of converting (a) a 600 megawatt and (b) a 1,200 megawatt power station from oil-burning to coal-burning.

The CEGB has no oil-fired power stations of these sizes. The conversion of oil-fired stations to coal-firing is not practicable at many sites, but where practicable the capital cost of any conversions would vary considerably, depending on a number of site-related factors in addition to size, including the design and configuration of plant and the nature of the conversion proposed. I am asking the acting chairman of the CEGB to write to the hon. Member with more detailed information.