§ Mr. Gregory CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to contain gas price rises in Northern Ireland over the next few years. [168296]
§ Mr. GardinerFollowing my meeting with Phoenix Natural Gas on 8 April 2004 the company agreed to suspend its proposed increase in gas prices to domestic and small industrial consumers. I am maintaining close contact with Phoenix, its wholesale gas supplier Centrica and the Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation and have urged all parties to work together to reach early resolution of the outstanding issues. My aim is to secure an equitable pricing structure for consumers and a stable long-term future for the gas industry in Northern Ireland.