§ John MannTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what representations have been made by Ministers in(a) 2002 and (b) 2003 to Transco about access to gas supplies; [113986]
(2) what targets have been set for the number of households accessible to gas supply by (a) 2005 and (b) 2010. [113980]
§ Mr. WilsonThe regulation of gas transportation, including connections to the mains gas network, is the responsibility of the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (OFGEM). The Government have not set targets for the numbers of households connected to the network. However, since 2001, in the context of its Fuel Poverty Strategy, the Department of Trade and Industry has been in discussion with Transco and other interested parties about connections to the mains gas network, with a view to promoting industry-led projects to extend the network. I expect the first industry-led projects to begin this year.
§ John MannTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many pensioners do not have access to gas supplies; [113987]
(2) how many properties in (a) Bassetlaw and (b) the UK do not have access to gas; [113985]
(3) how many pensioners receiving concessionary fuel do not have access to gas supply. [113981]
§ Mr. WilsonAround 4.5 million households in Great Britain do not use mains gas, although some could have access to a gas connection. The Government do not hold information on the number of pensioners or the number of households in individual constituencies that do not have access to gas, nor on whether individual recipients of concessionary fuel have access to a gas supply.