§ 18. Mr. J. H. Osborneasked the Minister of Power what information he has to the estimated total cost of converting domestic and industrial equipment to use natural gas as against manufactured town's gas; and to what extent this will be borne by the consumer, the Gas Council and the Exchequer, respectively.
§ Dr. BrayThe cost of this conversion is one of the matters being investigated in the studies in hand on the utilisation of natural gas. Under the provisions of the Gas Act, 1948, the cost of conversion would fall to be borne by the area board in whose area the consumers are situated.
§ Mr. OsbornTo what extent will natural gas be used in domestic industry and to what extent will it be converted into a form of manufactured gas?
§ Dr. BrayI am sure the hon. Member appreciates that this is a matter which needs the most thorough technical investigation and will be different at different stages of the transition. This is what we are considering at the moment.