Written question asked by Tim Yeo (Conservative) on Thursday, 23 November 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 29 November 2000. It was answered by Stephen Byers (Labour) on Wednesday, 29 November 2000 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment he has made of the Reading University paper, World Oil Supply: New and Medium Term, the Approaching Peak in conventional oil production.

Answer: Mr. Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the Reading University paper "World Oil Supply: New and Medium Term; the Approaching Peak in conventional oil production". [140594] Mr. Byers: My Department keeps abreast of a wide range of expert opinion on future scenarios for global oil production. The projections of future oil production in Reading University's paper are among the most pessimistic. Many experts, including major oil companies and the International Energy Agency, believe that production will continue at significant levels well into the new century and it is likely that, in the longer term, the transition to alternative fuels will result in recoverable oil reserves remaining in the ground unused. The Government will continue to monitor opinions on this issue and factor them into energy policy.

Secondary information