CAB129-45 — Page 341

Page 341 268

eno: 252 mit e bava: tooz violbst & lo #t.pz 000,02 to moitslank sdt. (b) amobrsikt veske Bobin Printed for the Cabinets April 1951 om bos

CONFIDENTIAL

· nodai Chooda zame No.31 blot-owd af leod gives to song adi

Copy

C.P. (51) 118 igniter ons vers tads stawn fod to body su antžÁM (s) 27th April, 1951

Jirst of sesh of

CABINET

ECONOMY IN THE CONSUMPTION OF COAL

MEMORANDUM BY THE MINISTER OF FUEL AND POWER

The Cabinet asked me to submit a report on the progress made in securing. economy in the consumption of coal (C.M. (51) 15th Conclusions, Minute 2).

The Extent of the Problem

2. In 1950, over 202 million tons of coal were used in the United Kingdom for our internal requirements. With conditions of full employment, and with rising productivity of labour and a continually increasing industrial, commercial and domestic demand for electricity and gas, we must expect that this internal con- sumption will continue to increase each year by anything from 3 to 7 million tons, variations being due to variations of weather and other factors.

3. Writing in February, 1950, Professor R. J. Sarjant of Sheffield University said:-

66

Figures have been put forward to show that, for all purposes in this country, coal is used at an overall efficiency of 18 per cent. These figures have been challenged, but it is doubtful if the most powerful criticism could raise the level beyond 25 per cent. If only 10 of the 75 wasted units could be put to useful service, the saving would amount to 60 million tons of coal per annum.

59

4. Two and a half million tons go up our chimneys in the form of soot and smoke every year. This is not only waste-for the most part preventable waste; it also causes a heavy national expenditure per annum on cleaning buildings, &c.

Examples of Savings

5. There is no doubt that if present knowledge were generally applied, tens of millions of tons of coal could be saved without great capital expenditure. The following examples show what might be done: --

(a) The oldest coal-driven electricity generating stations still being operated by the British Electricity Authority have an efficiency of 7 to 8 per cent. Their newest power stations have an efficiency of over 29 per cent. The average efficiency to-day is about 21.5 per cent.; in the 12 months preceding vesting date it was 20.86 per cent. (A 1 per cent. increase in efficiency means, at present rates of consumption, a saving of more than 300,000 tons of coal a year.)

(b) The manufacture of 1 ton of finished steel required more than 60 cwts.

of coal in 1920; to-day it requires well below 40 cwts.

(c) A modern improved openable domestic stove, burning 194 cwt. of coal, gives as much useful heat as a pre-war stool bottom grate burning

Pate

40504

of 587

Page 341

2