Power Stations

Oral Answers to Questions — Energy – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 10 November 1975.

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Photo of Miss Janet Fookes Miss Janet Fookes , Plymouth Drake 12:00, 10 November 1975

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his policy regarding the building of new power stations using oil, in the light of the increased costs of oil being imposed by OPEC.

Photo of Mr Alexander Eadie Mr Alexander Eadie , Midlothian

The increased costs of oil will be fully taken into account when next we are considering the building of a fossil-fired power station.

Photo of Miss Janet Fookes Miss Janet Fookes , Plymouth Drake

Does the Minister agree that that does not get us very much further? Could we not have a more positive statement of policy? Would it not be better to say here and now that the cost of oil and the need to preserve it demand that no more oil-fired power stations be built?

Photo of Mr Alexander Eadie Mr Alexander Eadie , Midlothian

I think that many hon. Members will have great sympathy with what the hon. Lady has said. She knows my views in relation to the ideas which she is putting forward. However, she must agree that in the past one of the great problems when the House was trying to wrestle with energy policy and forecasts was that hon. Members became ultra-dogmatic in their approach. Therefore, although there are many hon. Members who will agree with what she is saying, I think she must also agree that one must not be too dogmatic about the approach that one will take, bearing in mind the wide choice of indigenous energy resources in this country.