§ 36. Mr. Ellisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what general directions he has issued to the National Coal Board and the gas boards to avoid deliberate wastage of indigenous natural gas.
§ Sir J. EdenNone, Sir.
§ Mr. EllisThat reply will be received with a great deal of disappointment in my part of the world. Is the Minister aware that there is a great deal of evidence that no agreement can be reached between the gas boards and the National Coal Board on the price of the gas being sold by the N.C.B. to the gas boards, and that because of the failure to reach agreement gas to the extent of several scores of thousands of therms 26 is discharged into the atmosphere weekly, which is a gross wastage of our natural resources? Will the Minister intervene to persuade both bodies to utilise the gas?
§ Sir J. EdenI am aware of the hon. Gentleman's great interest in, and knowledge of, the subject. He will be aware that colliery gas is produced under licence under the Petroleum (Production) Act, 1934. It is different from by-product gas, in that if the gas industry does not want it, it is then up to the N.C.B. to seek an alternative outlet for its product, in which case the gas boards do not have to be involved. If the hon. Gentleman wishes to take up any detailed aspect of the matter, I will readily look into it.
§ Mr. KelleyIs the Minister aware that the N.C.B. is not empowered by the law to sell gas to any individual consumer? It produces methane gas underground and is unable to sell it to customers who are crying out for it. Therefore the Minister's reply to my hon. Friend is totally inaccurate.
§ Sir J. EdenI do not think that it is, but I shall certainly look at the position in view of what has been said. It is for the N.C.B. to find another buyer. There are difficulties in its doing that, because fluctuations in supply do not always make the gas attractive. The provisions obtaining in the case of methane gas are different from those obtaining in the case of by-product gas.