§ Mr. Lubbockasked the Minister of Power (1) what is the estimated production in therms of water gas in 1968–69; and what is the estimated average cost per therm of this gas;
(2) what are the top and bottom limits of the estimated number of therms of gas to be purchased by the gas industry from the National Coal Board and other coke ovens in the year 1968–69; and what is the average price per therm estimated for this gas;
(3) what is the estimated number of therms of colliery methane to be purchased by the gas industry from the National Coal Board in the year 1968–69; and what is the estimated average price per therm of this gas;
(4) what is the estimated number of therms of gas to be produced from oil sources by the gas industry in 1968–69; and what is the estimated average cost per therm produced of this gas;
(5) what are the top and bottom limits of the estimated tonnage of coal to be used in gasworks in 1968–69.
§ Mr. FreesonI am informed by the Gas Council that the following is the readily available information about the make of gas at present estimated for 1968–69. The hon. Member will appreciate that these estimates are subject to change for a variety of reasons:
212WCoal based gas, 672 million therms.
Oil based gas, including refinery gas and enrichment with natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas, 2,776 million therms.
Purchased gas, including coke oven gas and methane drained from collieries, 383 million therms.
In addition, 1,227 million therms of natural gas will be supplied for direct use by consumers.
Estimates of the average cost of each source of town gas require more time to prepare and I have asked the Chairman of the Gas Council to send these when available, direct to the hon. Member.