HC Deb 09 July 1973 vol 859 cc995-6
1. Mr. Palmer

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and industry if, in view of the increasing expense and inconvenience imposed on other public utilities in taking counter safety measures and the loss of life already brought about in electricity supply by the leakage of natural gas, he will have immediate conversations with the Gas Corporation on the situation, with a view to the exercise of his powers to give a general direction to the industry.

The Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Mr. Peter Emery)

No, Sir. The corporation has already taken steps to reduce leakages, to improve liaison with other public utilities and to attend promptly to reported leaks.

Mr. Palmer

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that his Department has a direct responsibility for safety in these matters and that, although the Opposition rightly suggested during the passage of the Gas Bill a short time ago that an absolute liability should be placed upon the British Gas Corporation, there has now been loss of life, in spite of that warning? How much longer will the corporation continue pumping dry gas into a network designed in some cases 100 years ago for wet gas?

Mr. Emery

I have said several times that my Department realises that we have a great responsibility here. We still believe that absolute liability would not be the answer, because a number of accidents may arise which have nothing to do with the British Gas Corporation. Moreover, I know from investigations I have made that the corporation is very much up to date in trying to ensure that its main line and feeder line service is as modernised as possible.

Mr. Varley

The hon. Gentleman will recall that, during the passage of the Bill, he said he would keep this matter under review. In view of the alarming circumstances referred to by my hon. Friend, will he now consider setting up a separate study, independent of the British Gas Corporation, so that we may know the full facts of the situation?

Mr. Emery

As the hon. Gentleman knows, there has already been an inquiry on the matter of gas coming from the North Sea. If the hon. Member for Bristol, Central (Mr. Palmer) has specific new facts which he wishes to put to me, I shall be glad to have them, but I must say that the situation is not helped by accusations that North Sea gas is odourless when pumped out. This is quite untrue, since a special additive is put in so that it may be sensed by everybody dealing with it.