Methane (Hansard, 29 June 1959)

§ 19. Mr. Hastings
asked the Paymaster-General what dangers exist in connection with the storage of liquid methane and its use as a gas for heating purposes; and what precautions are being taken to avoid these dangers.

§ 38. Mr. Mason
asked the Paymaster-General if he will give details of the dangers inherent in the new experiment of the transportation and storage of liquid methane.

§ Sir I. Horobin
The only respect in which liquid methane is more difficult to handle than any other light petroleum product is the need to take special precautions against the effect of very low temperatures on the properties of metal. The tanker and storage tanks used in connection with the experimental shipments have been specially designed after extensive research to ensure safe handling, and have been approved for this purpose by the appropriate authorities. In use methane gas is as safe as ordinary town gas with which it is mixed.

§ Mr. Hastings
May I ask the Minister two questions? First, is there any danger of liquid methane exploding in storage? Secondly, is it quite clear that there is no greater danger to health if methane gas mixed with coal gas is used for heating and escapes, as compared with ordinary coal gas?

§ Sir I. Horobin
As regards the second question, coal gas contains substantial quantities of methane. The answer substantially is that there is no difference in danger. With regard to the first question, the tanks in which the gas is stored are remote and carefully placed in the light of experience. They are surrounded by earth bunds so that in the event of a breakage burning substance would not flow all over the place but would be contained. One cannot say that there are no possibilities of risk in any of these industrial processes, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that very careful steps have been taken to minimise the danger.

§ Mr. Mason
Has the hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to a recent meeting of the gas industry? The impression given at the meeting was that despite the dangers of this experiment it is bound to be a success. Personally I do not deplore that, but I am concerned to hear that because of the possible success of this experiment the Gas Council plan to go it alone. Does the hon. Gentleman not think that this is a rather chaotic situation when large fuel industries go shooting off at a tangent with their own policies rather than the Minister taking action to bring them together and get a co-ordinated fuel policy?

§ Sir I. Horobin
I do not think that arises. These Questions are about safety.