§ Mr. McGuireasked the Minister of Power how many explosions, fires and other accidents have been reported as a 54W result of the conversion of homes and business premises to North Sea Gas; how many have caused personal injuries; and what has been the cost in each case.
§ Mr. FreesonThe Gas Council inform me that, since the first conversion at Canvey Island in 1966 there has been a total of 71 accidents of all kinds in the use of natural gas, of which 24 have involved some personal injury. This should, of course, be viewed in the context of a total of half a million customers converted since that time. No information is readily available about costs.