asked the Minister of Power whether in view of the fact that the National Coal Board's offer to supply coal to Alcan contains undue or unreasonable preference or advantage, he will take proceedings in respect of this breach of their statutory duty.

asked the Minister of Power what study he has made of the classes of users which may qualify for preferential prices for coal supplies; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Power, based on the revised estimates of coal demand for 1971 to 1975, and as result of the proposed reorgani- sation of the coalmining industry in mechanised cheap production collieries, at what price range per ton and per therm at pithead he estimates that coal will be available to the Central Electricity Generating Board, and selected industrial users requiring deliveries in bulk, with a view to implementing a cheap energy policy.

asked the Minister of Power what study he has made of the consequences, other than an increase in price to other consumers or a greater deficit to the National Coal Board, which will follow from coal being offered to some users at 3¼d. a therm or below, while the average price is 4·6d. a therm.

asked the Minister of Power what progress has been made towards the establishment of a pricing structure for the coal industry which would enable the National Coal Board to quote preferential prices to both public and private customers engaging in large and long-term contracts.

I am in consultation with the Board about its price structure.

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that if an offer 30 per cent. below the published price of coal was made, that would indeed be an undue advantage? If not, would he say what he would consider to be an unfair preference or advantage?

It is not really for me to say. The Act lays this responsibility on the Board. I do not know if the hon. Gentleman has a specific example in mind, but I assure him that I have received no complaints about unfair advantage being given by the National Coal Board.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the aluminium smelting industry is being offered an advantage?

I will be answering a subsequent Question on the Alcan project.

Is it not essential in a fuel policy that there should be a correlation between the price of a fuel and the volume required? Will not the volume of coal consumed depend on the price of this fuel?

It depends on price and other factors.

Does my right hon. Friend accept the soundness of the principle implied in Question No. 53?

This is perfectly normal commercial practice.

Does the Minister's Answer—that he is in consultation with the industry—mean that no reported contracts can go ahead without his consent?

Bless my soul, no. The pricing policy of the N.C.B. is a complex matter. I said that we are carrying out a full examination, with the Board, of its pricing policy.

asked the Minister of Power what is his latest estimate of the deficit of the National Coal Board in the current financial year.

asked the Minister of Power if he will give an estimate of the National Coal Board's deficit for the current year.

The Chairman informs me that, on recent trends, the financial result for the year seems likely to be better than the possible deficit of £10 million envisaged when the Coal Industry Bill was debated last December.

While that Answer indicates that it is rather better than the deficit for the first half of the financial year, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is satisfied that the financial objective set out in the White Paper, of breaking even, will be reached?

I would hope so, or near to it.

Is it not the case that with the remarkable increase in productivity achieved by the coal industry recently and with the capital reconstruction brought about as result of the Coal Industry Act, 1965, there will be a steady and continuous improvement in the results?

I would hope so.

Would the Minister care to hazard a guess about how soon the National Coal Board will be working without a loss?

I cannot forecast the future position of the National Coal Board.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the output per man shift in the mining industry has gone up since September, 1967, to today by 11 per cent. and if this very hopeful trend can continue the first six months' deficit will be eliminated in the second six months of the current year?

My right hon. Friend is right to draw attention to this position. If the increases in productivity gained by the miners in the last year applied throughout British industry we would have no problems at all.

Can the Minister say what other action the Coal Board is taking to reduce or to eliminate this loss?

The Coal Board is engaged in a constant process of modernisation and improvement in methods.

asked the Minister of Power if he will make a statement concerning his meetings with the chairman of the National Coal Board on the future of the coal mining industry.

The frequent meetings which I have with the chairmen of the boards of nationalised industries are confidential.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his whole costing of other fuels in relation to coal is falling about his ears? Does he realise that the miners are beginning to demand an independent investigation into the whole question of costing?

One comes back here to the original point. The bodies who have looked at this subject now include virtually everybody connected with nuclear costings. [Interruption.] My hon. Friend has asked the question and I hope he will let me answer. I find it difficult to think of a body which would be both independent of all those involved in this and capable of doing the job.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that, perhaps in order to clear up this point, it would be much more helpful if we could debate the Fuel Policy White Paper?

That is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House.

Why does my right hon. Friend always tell us that his conversations with the Chairman of the National Coal Board are confidential when every time he says so Lord Robens goes out, makes a speech and tells us all about them?

asked the Minister of Power what criteria he employed in deciding to intervene in proposals by the National Coal Board to close certain pits.

The Government have regard to all the circumstances social and economic.

Has it ever occurred to the right hon. Gentleman that, if he stopped interfering politically in the affairs of the National Coal Board, Lord Robens might stop interfering in politics?

I would never dare to intervene in the affairs of the National Coal Board.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether one of the criteria is whether the Prime Minister has visited the area concerned in the immediate past?

I think that, on reflection, the hon. Gentleman may regret that supplementary question. Very real and big social problems are involved in colliery closures. The decision to provide for postponement of some closures in certain circumstances was agreed by both sides of the House and there was no dispute.

May I ask my right hon. Friend when he and the Government will be big enough to accept the responsibility of deciding the Government policy in which Lord Robens has to work? May I also ask him about the fuel policy White Paper? Does he recall that only a few months ago the Prime Minister withdrew the White Paper because 80 Members of this House said that they would vote against it?

My hon. Friend has his point of view. The White Paper has never been withdrawn and there has never been any undertaking that it would be withdrawn. What was said was that, in the light of devaluation, the figures would be looked at to see how far things had changed.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Minister of Power what proposals have been made to him by the National Coal Board for his approval of the further reorganisation of the Board's national, regional and area administration; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has not been informed of any further major reorganisation plans following the N.C.B.s scheme announced in December, 1965, and effective from March, 1967.

Will my hon. Friend ask the Coal Board for any available information so that it can be given directly to the House instead of through newspaper reports and other sources?

I am not clear what information my hon. Friend is asking for, but if he will contact us by correspondence we can perhaps pursue the matter.

asked the Minister of Power what estimate his Department has made of the total coal which will be burnt annually in all coal-fired power stations when the last of the planned coal-fired power stations is commissioned.

The last of the coal-fired power stations at present on order (Drax) should be commissioned in 1973. The Fuel Policy White Paper gives estimates of power station coal consumption in 1970 and 1975 from which it can be seen that the 1973 figure is expected to be about 65 million tons.

Would my right hon. Friend not agree that what will happen is that, no matter how competitive coal becomes, there will be no places for it to burn? Would he not further agree, in view of the answers that he gave to my Question last week about the uncompetitiveness of nuclear energy as far as the 1970s, it is time that we recast the programme to give a better place to coal in the 1970s?

I do not see why my hon. Friend should see any difficulty in finding places to burn coal. At the moment we have 13 coal-fired stations, totalling 21,600 megawatts, under construction.

asked the Minister of Power what estimates he has made of the increase in costs to the steel industry of the present proposals in the Transport Bill.

The British Steel Corporation expects its annual increase in costs to be rather less than £1 million on a total haulage bill of £76 million, and this may be reduced by the transfer of traffic from road to rail.

Has the Minister investigated the effects of delays and loss of flexibility arising from the quantity licensing proposals, together with the two new taxes?

I have no doubt that the British Steel Corporation is examining the implications of the Transport Bill on the industry.

Is my right hon. Friend aware, in connection with quantity licensing, that if delay should occur, traffic will not be shifted from road to rail?

These questions are better directed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport. I stated in my original Answer the position as we understand it.

asked the Minister of Power what estimate he has made of the total increase in costs of the electricity generating programme resulting from the Transport Bill.

asked the Minister of Power what estimate he has made of the extra annual cost to the generation and supply of electricity and to the construction of power stations as a result of the measures contained in the Transport Bill.

asked the Minister of Power what detailed estimates he has made of the increased cost to the Central Electricity Generating Board of power stations at present under construction, or for which contracts have already been placed, and for which contracts are not on a fixed basis, as a result of the abnormal load charges in the Transport Bill.

asked the Minister of Power what estimates he has made of the increase in costs of the electricity generating programme and supply of electricity resulting from effects of the Transport Bill on the south-west of England.

Detailed estimates have not been made for individual stations under construction or for separate parts of the country. The C.E.G.B. estimates that the abnormal loads charge would add about £300,000 a year to construction costs and would increase its fuel transport charges by about £500,000 a year. The overall effect on the cost of electricity, including distribution, is unlikely to be more than 0·1 per cent.

Has the Minister examined, in particular, not only the effects of the abnormal load tax on the building of power stations, but also its effect on the movement of heavy objects connected with the supply of electricity?

These are matters which the industry must examine and take into account. I understand that the C.E.G.B. is in consultation with the Ministry of Transport on these issues, and I have stated the earliest possible assessment of the position that we are able to obtain.

Does the hon. Gentleman accept that the extra costs involved will bear very hard on the Scottish electricity supply part of the industry because of the extra distances involved? Can he give an assurance that this will not result in a further acceleration of the differential price in Scotland?

I do not accept that this will bear particularly hard on Scotland. These are questions for detailed examination by the industry; and we have had no evidence along the lines suggested by the hon. Gentleman.

Is my hon. Friend aware that regarding the abnormal loads charge the Minister of Transport on Second Reading and also in Committee has given a pledge to ask her Department to examine the position very fully in order to make sure that there is no undue price increase to traffic going out of the development areas?

Yes, we are aware of the undertakings given in Committee. As I have said, close consultation is going on, and this no doubt will continue until matters are clarified.

asked the Minister of Power what detailed estimates he has made of the increased cost to the Gas Council of terminals, pipelines and other facilities for the transmission of North Sea gas already under construction, or for which contracts have already been placed, and for which contracts are not on a fixed basis, as a result of the abnormal load charges in the Transport Bill.

I understand from the Gas Council that the increase in costs is expected to be negligible.

Can the hon. Gentleman reconcile that with the forecast that costs in Scotland will rise considerably as a result of the Transport Bill? Will he stick to his pledge that Scotland will not be charged more for North Sea gas than England?

I am not sure what the latter part of that supplementary question has to do with the first. The Gas Council has given its advice and I have said that the increased costs arising from the Transport Bill will be negligible.

asked the Minister of Power what study he has made of the specific benefits or advantages which will be enjoyed by consumers of heavy steel products through the fixing of prices for such products by the British Steel Corporation and the publicly-owned companies; and if he will take steps to make those benefits available to consumers of similar products of the privately-owned steel companies.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Corporation's first report on organisation (Cmnd. 3362). I have no powers over the arrangements for the private sector.

Since the British Steel Corporation is now doing exactly what the Restrictive Practices Court said the steel industry should not do, why should the advantages of fixing prices not be extended to the 10 per cent. of the industry still left in private hands?

It is essential to have common pricing in an integrated corporation such as this. There is no price competition in the big United States steel companies which are of comparable size. The Corporation's report says that

"true price corn petition has never operated successfully in the iron and steel industry in this or any other country."

asked the Minister of Power if he will take steps to publish an interim statement of the profit or loss to date by the British Steel Corporation since nationalisation.

asked the Minister of Power when he first intends to present an interim statement of the profit or loss incurred by the British Steel Corporation.

The Corporation informs me that trading results for the first two months after vesting date will be shown with the group accounts of the nationalised steel companies for 1967, which the Corporation expects to publish in April. It will publish an interim statement giving a broad indication of earnings for the 26 weeks to 30th March, 1968, in about June.

Does the right hon. Gentleman therefore agree that the company will be entirely in line with its requirements for publishing accounts with those of any private enterprise limited company?

It will be in line with the provisions of the Act.

May I thank the Minister for making this concession and getting the Steel Corporation to publish accounts earlier than was suggested? May I ask whether in his opinion the Steel Corporation is making a profit or a loss?

Of course, the Steel Corporation labours under an enormous adverse heritage from the past of private enterprise.

asked the Minister of Power what part his Department is taking in furthering the establishment in Great Britain of centres for the extraction of food concentrates from gas oils and other fuels; and what experiments are being carried out on the use of North Sea gas in this field.

The Department is in close touch with the major oil companies and with the Ministry of Technology on this subject. B.P. is building an experimental plant at its refinery at Lavera for the conversion of wax from distillate oils into edible protein. The "Shell" Research Company is experimenting in Kent with a process involving the growth of bacteria on the carbon of methane gas.

Would my hon. Friend agree that the French experiments show the value of fuel oils as a source of animal foodstuffs and also perhaps ultimately of helping the hungry millions of the world? Would he accept that the news of experiments with methane, and hence the possible use of North Sea gas, will be very welcome to the House?

I am sure it will be welcomed in the House. I certainly accept the first part of my hon. Friend's question. This discovery and development will be of great assistance eventually in the world situation with regard to food supplies and will eventually considerably help this country's economy.

Do not such developments depend on an adequate supply of gas, and is there not a danger if the price is not high enough that international companies will move to foreign waters?

I do not accept anything of what the hon. Member has said.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will make a further statement on the proposed power station at Seaton Carew.

asked the Minister of Power whether he has now reached a decision on the building of a new power station at Seaton Carew; and on the fuel which will be used.

asked the Minister of Power when he expects to announce the decision as to the type of fuel which will be required to fire the power station at Seaton Carew.

I have nothing to add at present to replies I have already given to hon. Members.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a good deal of anxiety about this in the North-East? Can he allay it by saying, whether it is coal-or nuclear-powered, that there will be a power station at Seaton Carew?

A very complex series of studies is taking place, taking into account many factors, not least the Generating Board's load forecasts.

Does the Minister appreciate that ever since devaluation there have been constant suggestions that Seaton Carew would be a casualty of the cutback in nationalised industry investment? Will he take very seriously what his right hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey) said? This is very important to the North-East of England.

I appreciate that this is obviously a very important issue to the area, and one which has attained very great significance. The fact is that one cannot build power stations without taking into account the load forecasts of future demand.

Does my right hon. Friend accept that there is a very great deal of anxious speculation in the area surrounding Seaton Carew about the power station, and that it is high time a decision was reached? Bearing in mind the doubts about the costing of Dungeness B, which still has 2½ years to go and has already escalated by 25 per cent., will he decide strongly in favour of coal for Seaton Carew?

There are other questions on the Order Paper about nuclear costs. The position is that hon. Members on both sides of the House asked for a careful social cost benefit analysis to be done on this very complex issue. There is also the problem of load forecasts.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the recent announcements regarding the Furness shipyard and the ship conversion yard in Hartlepool, involving a large degree of unemployment, make it imperative for the Government to end this study as soon as possible? A decision should be made, both in fairness to the miners and to Tees-side.

I appreciate that, but the key point in building power stations is what the load is likely to be. Power stations cannot be built to provide employment; they must be built to provide electricity in connection with whatever demand is arising.

As the decision for which we have been hoping for some time may have a beneficial or adverse effect on my constituency, can my right hon. Friend say what complexities trouble him? Are they economic or are they price-fixing in character?

For a start, one clearly wants the most up-to-date load forecasts, which are due fairly soon. In terms of cost benefit analysis, one must make assumptions about length of employment of people who might otherwise be unemployed, which leads in turn to a long-range economic analysis.

asked the Minister of Power to what extent his Department, in its comparative study of fuel costs in the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States of America, is taking account of the fuel-cost element in export industries.

Fuel costs in different countries are kept under review as part of the continuing work on fuel policy, with particular regard to the effect of energy costs on our competitive strength in export markets.

As fuel costs represent a higher proportion of total costs for export industry than for industry generally, will the right hon. Gentleman also keep under review the advantage to the export trade of eliminating or reducing the fuel oil tax at the earliest possible date?

That is a question for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Does my right hon. Friend's answer take into account the increase in the cost of gas caused by the recent moving of drills in the North Sea from British areas to Dutch areas?

No, Sir. The hon. Member for Cambridge (Mr. Lane) asked me a Question about comparative fuel costs. There is no evidence that the price of natural gas is, or will be, adversely affected by those companies which decide to move to the Dutch part of the Continental Shelf.

asked the Minister of Power what is his latest estimate of the trend of the overall costs of nuclear and coal-fired power stations, respectively, during the next 10 years.

asked the Minister of Power if he will give an estimate of the comparative costs of nuclear and coal-fired power stations during the next 10 years.

The latest estimates of the trend over the next 10 years were given in the Reports on Nuclear Power Costs published as Appendices 43 and 44 to the Report from the Select Committee on Science and Technology.

Does the Minister accept that those figures suggest that the economic advantages of nuclear stations are bound to be stronger and to increase in the future? Would he reassure the House that those advantages will be taken fully into account in the future fuel policy in both the medium and the long term?

I find myself in the embarrassing position of agreeing with the hon. Gentleman.

Will my right hon. Friend be aware that some of us have grave doubts about the figures available for nuclear power stations? Bearing in mind the already rapidly increasing capital and running costs of power stations, would not it be desirable at least to consider an independent inquiry into the matter?

I appreciate that there is a great deal of controversy on the subject. But the investigation which has taken place so far has involved the A.E.A., the C.E.G.B. and the Department's Chief Scientist's Division. The matter has also been to the Select Committee on Science and Technology. I find it difficult to think of a body which would be independent of all those and be capable of doing the job.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the two Appendices to the Select Committee's Report which he mentioned contain the agreement of the Coal Board officials to the general calculations in them? Will he remind Lord Robens that the Coal Board officials agreed?

I am sure that Lord Robens will note what the hon. Gentleman said.

Will my right hon. Friend confirm his own figures showing that in the 1970s and onwards coal will be competitive with any other fuel, and bear in mind that unless the construction of three coal-fired stations is begun fairly quickly we shall be very short of places to burn that coal, no matter how competitive it is in the 1970s?

I would not go so far as to say that it would be competitive with any other fuel in terms of being cheaper than any other fuel in the 1970s. At the present rate, it will be able to hold a large share of the energy market.

asked the Minister of Power if the White Paper on Fuel Policy, Command Paper No. 3438, still represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Yes, Sir.

In view of that reply, will my right hon. Friend do something to dispel the air of confusion which still exists around this matter? At the moment there appear to be as many fuel policies as there are separate chairmen of the nationalised fuel industries.

There is only one as far as the Government are concerned.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there is an increasing need for himself and the Minister of Technology to come to some final conclusion about the Report of the Select Committee on this matter, and that, as long as their decision is pending, it is inevitable that everyone will go in different directions?

I do not think that the Select Committee's Report is in conflict with the White Paper on Fuel Policy. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Technology and I are examining the Report, which is a very large and important document, and we hope to come to the House fairly soon with our conclusions.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is time we debated the White Paper, which he has accepted as policy? Will he make representations to the Leader of the House to the effect that he thinks it urgent that the House should debate the White Paper soon?

We have debated the White Paper on a number of occasions both in relation to the Coal Industry Act and to the winter Supplementary Estimates. I am sure that it will be possible to make some arrangements through the usual channels.

asked the Minister of Power when he expects that an announcement will be made about the price to be paid by the Gas Council for North Sea gas.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will now make a statement on the price to be paid by the Gas Council and other consumers for North Sea gas.

I would refer the hon. Members to the statement I made to the House on Wednesday, 6th March.—[Vol. 760, c. 458.]

As to any future price fixing, will the Minister confirm, as he implied in his statement last week, that his view of a reasonable price is one which is low enough to ensure that the economy gets the full benefit of cheap indigenous fuel and at the same time high enough to encourage companies and consortia to explore new areas thoroughly?

Since I said it last week, I see no reason to disagree with it this week.

Having regard to the fact that the settlement announced so far between Phillips and the Gas Council covers only a relatively very small part of the discoveries so far, can the Minister tell the House when he expects to reach a general settlement on the much larger area of discoveries not yet announced for pricing?

Yes, I think the hon. Member will agree that it is not a very small proportion of the total so far found, but a small proportion. The length of time in reaching agreement with the Gas Council and other companies is something which I cannot forecast.

Can my right hon. Friend now say what was the agreed devaluation price put on the price and to what were the companies asking him to agree?

No, Sir.

As the price agreement must have been reached before the loss of the latest rig, would the Minister assure the House that that particular price is not to be regarded as a ceiling for other price arrangements?

I cannot quite follow the hon. Lady about the significance of the loss of the rig, which was of course a tragedy.

May I perhaps elucidate my supplementary question and stress the increased risks of exploration in the North Sea and the fact that the price may not be higher?

We have always been aware that the risks of exploration in this particular area are very high indeed. This is the justification for the sort of levels of return that no other company would expect to get when operating in normal commercial circumstances.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will take steps to set up a free market in North Sea gas.

No. The supply of North Sea gas is subject to the provisions of Section 9 of the Continental Shelf Act, 1964.

To what extent does the right hon. Gentleman expect to see variations in the next phase of the agreed contract prices? What will be the principal factors likely to govern these variations?

I presume that the hon. Gentleman means future agreements. The factors which affect the price will, of course, depend on the different situations in the different fields for the different companies.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that already 20 million tons of coal are being sold to the C.E.G.B. at this particular price?

asked the Minister of Power what proposals have been made to him regarding the supply of gas to Golspie, Sutherland, by the Scottish Gas Board; and if he has approved them.

None, Sir.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this is an astonishing reply, since almost a year ago my right hon. Friend admitted to me that the existing plant was incapable of supplying the needs of the area? Is my hon. Friend further aware that provision has been made in Caithness for the supply of liquified petroleum air-gas? Will he consider if there is a need for similar supplies in Golspie?

We have been in touch with the Scottish Gas Board and are advised that there is no supply problem at Golspie, the potential of the plant having been increased somewhat. If the developments referred to by my hon. Friend in Caithness are successful, no doubt the Board will consider introducing them where they are useful.

asked the Minister of Power if he has now received the report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on the proposed increase in the price of gas; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Power if he has received the report from the National Board for Prices and Incomes concerning the investigations into Scottish gas prices; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs and I have received the Board's report on gas prices, which is now being studied. A statement will be made to the House on the day of publication or as soon as possible thereafter.

Is the Minister aware that, in Scotland, the price of gas is 24 per cent. above the national average? Can he give an assurance that there will be no increase in the price of gas in Scotland?

Any assurance will have to await the statement to be made when the Government have studied the Board's proposals.

In view of the strong feeling in Scotland about the high cost of gas, can my right hon. Friend give an assurance that the statement will be issued very soon?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of of Power whether the introduction by the Merseyside and North Wales Electricity Board of a second scale of 70 units at 2·35d., or an increase of 55 per cent. on the old rate of 1·5d., had his approval.

My right hon. Friend considered the general proposals under the early warning arrangements, but the details were a matter for the Board in consultation with the Electricity Council and the Merseyside and North Wales Electricity Consultative Council. I understand that the maximum increase for any domestic consumer in the area is 20 per cent., while the average for domestic consumers is about 16 per cent.

Even though the average may be 16½ per cent. for all domestic consumers, does not the Minister agree that people living on small fixed incomes are hit worse than any other section of the community?

That kind of question has been put many times before, both in the House and in correspondence with the Department, and we have always had to inform hon. Members that there are social security arrangements for assistance in such cases of need.

Does the Minister realise that he just threw away the idea that an increase of 20 or 16½ per cent. was insignificant? To many people it is a major increase. Can he tell the House that he is very dissatisfied with that sort of increase?

In real cash terms it is not a major increase. I am as much, if not a little more, concerned about the conditions in which poor people live in this country and have been over a much longer period.

asked the Minister of Power, based on the revised estimate for electricity demand for 1971 to 1975, and as a result of new electricity generation capacity, at what price range per unit he estimates electricity will be available on a bulk tariff basis for selected industrial users, with a view to implementing a cheap energy policy.

I cannot give estimates for particular categories of consumer, but it would be reasonable to assume that electricity costs generally will tend to fall in real terms over the years.

Is it not essential to have such details in preparing forecasts? If offers of cheap coal to Alcan and other outside users of coal are implemented, will not this increase the cost of electricity to the consumer, because of the increase in the cost of coal to the C.E.G.B.?

The answer to both points is, "No, Sir".

How can the Minister possibly suggest that if a million tons of cheap coal are not sold to the C.E.G.B., and it must replace them by a million tons of more expensive coal, this is not to be reflected in an increase of costs to the C.E.G.B.?

The hon. Gentleman's description of the position concerning coal supplies to the electricity industry is quite inaccurate.

asked the Minister of Power, in the light of the Nuclear Safety Committee's report, what plans he has to approve the construction of a nuclear power station at Heysham; and when construction work will commence.

I am still considering the C.E.G.B.'s application for my consent to build this station. Although the site is acceptable in terms of safety, there are other factors be considered.

Is the right hon. Gentleman entirely satisfied not only with regard to the safety of the existing population but that there will be no need to impose restrictions which will affect the Lancashire County Council's plans for having a major population growth in the area?

The planning decision would be a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government. We are satisfied that these stations are safe: with the present restrictions about them.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a warm welcome will be given in the area around this prospective power station if he decides to give approval to its construction? Is he further aware that a pool of labour is available which would be able to help in the building of the station?

I am aware of that, and it is pleasant to know that something I do has some support somewhere.

asked the Minister of Power if he will issue a general direction to the Central Electricity Generating Board that they should seek tenders for high temperature reactors in respect of all future power stations.

This is not a matter for which a general direction would be appropriate.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the tender submitted by the Nuclear Power Group for a high temperature reactor in respect of the Hartle-pools station is several million £s cheaper than the next lowest quote? Is he further aware that, in the United States, it is the custom of the electricity utilities to publish all the details of tenders they receive for power stations as soon as the envelopes are opened? Has he taken note of the plans of the Gulf General Atomic Company in the United States for building a 1,000 MW high temperature gas-cooled reactor as soon as possible and—

Order. Supplementary questions must be reasonably brief. Mr. Freeson.

Will the hon. Gentleman ensure that—

Order. Mr. Freeson.

The choice of reactor for nuclear power stations is a matter for the C.E.G.B. Most of the other points raised by the hon. Gentleman are matters for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Technology.

asked the Minister of Power if he will state the total amount of electricity generated in Wales, the amount generated by nuclear, coal and hydro-electric plants, respectively, and the total amount consumed in Wales.

In 1967 the total generation, in million kilowatt hours, was 14,700 of which 2,600 was nuclear, 11,450 coal and 650 hydro. Total consumption was 10,800 million kilowatt hours.

Is the Minister aware that that amount could be substantially and profitably increased and the industry could be more efficiently administered in Wales if we had one electricity board, responsible for distribution and generation in Wales? Is he further aware that it would give additional employment inside the country?

I am aware that in 1967 there was a net export from Wales to the national grid in other parts of the country. Questions about the administrative structure of the industry are quite separate from the matter before us.

asked the Minister of Power what capital investment he has approved at Stewart Street power station, Bradford, Manchester.

Under the Acts, my right hon. Friend's approval of capital investment is related to the C.E.G.B.'s general programmes of capital development and not to individual projects.

Does my hon. Friend recall that on a number of occasions he has been asked for suggestions about where more coal would be burned? Will he note that I informed the Minister four weeks ago that Stewart Street power station was working only on part load, 300 yards from the colliery? Will he have a look at the colliery and the power station to see what extra coal can be burned at the station?

My hon. Friend would accept that it is not the Minister's responsibility to administer individual power stations throughout the country. If there are queries of this kind, the best thing in the first instance would be to raise them with the C.E.G.B.