HC Deb 26 June 1978 vol 952 cc1015-7
4. Mr. Powell

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on progress of the detailed studies of the extension of the electricity and gas grids to Northern Ireland.

The Under-Secretary of State for Energy (Mr. Alex Eadie)

For geographical reasons, any direct electricity link between Great Britain and Northern Ireland would have to be developed by the Northern Ireland Electricity Service and the South of Scotland Electricity Board, which are the responsibility respectively of my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Secretary of State for Scotland. The proposed natural gas pipeline between Scotland and Northern Ireland is, I understand, one of several options for the future of the Northern Ireland gas industry, contained in the report of a recent study of that industry by the British Gas Corporation. I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland will shortly he considering this matter when consultations with various interested groups have been concluded.

Mr. Powell

Despite the dispersion of responsibility in this matter amongst different branches of the Government, are the Government aware of the keen interest that is felt in these projects in Northern Ireland, not least on the part of the trade unions, and of the benefit which both projects would confer in the long run upon consumers and production in Great Britain?

Mr. Eadie

Yes, I am aware of that, but, as I stated in my reply, that responsibility rests with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Northern Ireland. I am, of course, aware of the interest.

Mr. Gwilym Roberts

On the similar subject of the exportation of electricity by transwater links of this type, can my hon. Friend tell the House whether there is any further progress in connecting the British grid with the French grid—

Mr. Speaker

Order. That is a completely separate question. This is a Question concerning Northern Ireland.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

In view of the vast public expenditure in helping Northern Ireland in its difficulties, and as part of the difficulty is the high charges for gas and electricity, will the Secretary of State consider sitting down with the other Ministers who have been mentioned and consider very carefully the suggestion implicit in the supplementary question asked by the right hon. Member for Down, South (Mr. Powell)?

Mr. Eadie

If the hon. Gentleman is referring to the British Gas Corporation, that body has no responsibility in this matter. If he is talking about Cabinet discussions, lie will realise that they take place all the time. I said to the right hon. Member for Down, South (Mr. Powell) that we are aware of the position and of the anxieties and of the views being expressed by the bodies referred to by the right hon. Gentleman in his supplementary question.

Rev. Ian Paisley

Will the hon. Gentleman state whether his Department has had any negotiations with the similar Departments in Northern Ireland? If a natural gas link is not to be available in Northern Ireland, will he consider making coal available to Northern Ireland at the same price as it is available in the rest of the United Kingdom?

Mr. Eadie

These are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Northern Ireland. No such proposal as the hon. Gentleman mentioned has come before the Department of Energy.

Mr. Hardy

Bearing in mind the reference already made to the desirability of these projects and to their very expensive nature, will my hon. Friend note and draw the attention of the Secretaries of State concerned to the fact that only a few weeks ago the two Members and their hon. Friends voted against increasing public expenditure?

Mr. Eadie

I am sure that my right hon. Friends will be aware of this, but in specific answer to the question I must state that there is anxiety about this matter and I must take cognisance of that anxiety. Both my right hon. Friends are discussing the matter.