§ 22. Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will name the 11 United States companies which are to join in a £2 million experiment in Scotland aimed at developing gas from coal as a substitute for natural gas, a project for which his approval is required.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanMy approval is not required for this experiment. I will however circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT 1244 the names of the companies which I understand to be associated with it.
§ Mr. EadieThe hon. Gentleman must be aware that investments leading to jobs are welcome in job-hungry Scotland. Can he say what rôle the Gas Council plays in this project? Will it have any patent rights, or will it have to depend on the benevolence of the 11 American companies if the project is successful?
§ Mr. BoardmanI too welcome the jobs that it provides. The Gas Council has been able to come to this arrangement which involves the use of capacity surplus to its requirements. The Gas Council indirectly will benefit from these experiments. Therefore from all points of view it is welcome.
Following is the information:Arrangements with the Scottish Gas Board and the Gas Council have been made by the Conoco Methanation Company, with whom the following other companies are understood to be associated in the experiment:
- Amax Coal Company
- Cities Service Gas Company
- Colorado Interstate Corporation
- Columbia Gas System Corporation
- Gulf Oil Corporation
- Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America
- Northern Natural Gas Company
- Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company,
- jointly with the Peabody Coal Company
- Rocky Mountain Energy Company
- Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company.