§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what policies she has to meet the estimated demand for gas from 2005 onwards. [74357]
§ Mr. WilsonAfter 2005, as now, I expect gas to be supplied to the UK market by private companies operating in a competitive market. Government's role is to work with industry through PILOT to maximise the economic benefit to the UK of its own oil and gas resources, and with the Governments of exporting countries to set a political framework to facilitate commercial agreements between companies in the UK and in other countries. Energy security is central to energy policy and will be addressed in the forthcoming Energy White Paper.