HC Deb 06 January 2003 vol 397 c4W
Mr. Gardiner

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of mains gas pipes Transco agreed to replace by 1 January 2003; and what percentage of this work had been achieved by 1 December. [87483]

Mr. Nicholas Brown

This required replacement of mains gas pipes, as part of the medium pressure ductile iron replacement programme, was 0.86 per cent. of the total mains gas pipes by 1 January 2003. As at 1 December, Transco was on target to achieve 1 per cent., thus exceeding their original target. Actual performance is at a level of 116 per cent. against original projections.

Mr. Gardiner

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the terms were of the agreement between Transco and the Health and Safety Executive for the replacement of metal gas pipes; and if Transco has met the time scale for replacement agreed with the Health and Safety Executive. [87486]

Mr. Nicholas Brown

I am informed by the Health and Safety Executive that Transco's mains replacement work is governed by a five-year programme which commenced in January 2001 for iron mains within 30 metres of property. This programme was agreed following discussions with Transco and Ofgem. At the end of this five-year period, Transco should be replacing mains so that the remaining mains within 30 metres of buildings should be replaced within the following 25 years.

Implementation of this programme is in the very early stages. HSE is carefully monitoring Transco's progress and evidence suggests the company is meeting current targets.