Natural Gas

HC Deb 17 April 1972 vol 835 cc24-5

21. Mr. Palmer

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the percentage of natural gas lost during 1971 in the transmission systems of the gas industry; and what was the overall percentage loss in 1971 compared with 1961, before the advent of natural gas.

Mr. Tom Boardman

This is a matter within the responsibility of the gas industry, and I have asked the Chairman of the Gas Council to write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Palmer

Is the Minister aware that that is a very superficial and unsatisfactory answer, that natural gas is now leaking into electricity supply substations, that there have been a number of explosions, that there has been loss of life, and that much of this is due to the unsatisfactory condition of many of the old gas networks which should never have been used in this situation? It is not good enough for the hon. Gentleman to say that the Chairman of the Council can write to me. I can always write to the Chairman of the Council at any time.

Mr. Boardman

I am well aware of the problems to which the hon. Gentleman refers, but the Gas Council, which has the responsibility for this matter, has many safety regulations, of which the hon. Gentleman is aware. The enforcement of those safety regulations is good, and this is a matter on which the hon. Gentleman should refer to the Gas Council. I am satisfied that the regulations as they are now prepared by the Gas Council comply with requirements that are reasonable.

Sir G. Nabarro

May I correct my hon. Friend? The House has, and always has had, absolute responsibility for safety in natural and town gas matters—in fact, for the whole of the carbonisation industry. As these mains cross my constituency in considerable volume, will not my hon. Friend re-apply himself to this matter, as I am conscious of the needs for my own and my constituents' safety?

Mr. Boardman

My hon. Friend is of course correct—the responsibility lies where he said. That responsibility is discharged to the extent that the regulations of the Gas Council are properly applied and effective. I will, as my right hon. Friend has always done, give full weight to what my hon. Friend said.