HC Deb 19 January 1999 vol 323 c421W
Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the estimated populations of the boroughs of(a) Ards, (b) Castlereagh and (c) North Down; what proposals there are to provide a natural gas supply in these three boroughs; and if she will make a statement. [65482]

Mr. Ingram

According to figures produced at the 1991 Population Census the population of these Boroughs is as follows:

Male Female Total
Ards 31,527 33,237 64,764
Castlereagh 28,946 31,853 60,799
North Down 34,284 37,548 71,832

Under the terms of the Development Plan contained in the combined licences for the conveyance and supply of gas to the Greater Belfast area, issued to Phoenix Natural Gas Ltd. on 5 September 1996, the company is required to provide gas to these Boroughs as follows:

  • Ards by the end of the year 2006
  • Castlereagh by the end of the year 2005
  • North Down by the end of the year 2003.