Natural Gas

HC Deb 14 November 1968 vol 773 cc151-2W

Mr. Swain

asked the Minister of Power what he estimates will be the price of natural gas to the consumer, industrial and domestic, in 1975.

Mr. Freeson

My right hon. Friend expects that the real price will on average be substantially lower than the present price of town's gas, but cannot forecast by how much.

Mr. Swain

asked the Minister of Power what will be the total cost to the taxpayer for the natural gas programme from start to finish.

Mr. Mason

The only costs likely to fall on the taxpayer will be those incurred in the issue of licences and in the other administrative work related to the programme. These will be far outweighed by receipts through royalty payments and fees.

Mr. Swain

asked the Minister of Power how many consumers are being supplied with natural gas on 1st November, 1968.

Mr. Freeson

Approximately a quarter of a million.

Mr. Swain

asked the Minister of Power how many consumers, domestic and industrial, will be supplied with natural gas in 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975.

Mr. Freeson

The gas industry forecasts of the cumulative total of consumers supplied with natural gas by the end of each of the financial years 1969–70 to 1972–73 are approximately 1¾ million, 3¾ million, 6 million and 8¼ million respectively. Forecasts for later years are not available.

Mr. Swain

asked the Minister of Power what is his estimate of the length of time in years of the supply of North Sea gas.

Mr. Freeson

At least 25 years from the fields already found and longer if, as expected, more discoveries are made.

Mr. Swain

asked the Minister of Power what are his plans for the supply of energy to the nation when the supply of North Sea gas ends.

Mr. Mason

It is too far ahead to be specific but I see no reason to expect any shortage of energy resources.

Mr. Swain

asked the Minister of Power how many major faults have been dealt with in areas supplied with natural gas.

Mr. Freeson

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Kensington, South (Sir B. Rhys Williams) on 5th November.—[Vol. 772, c. 665.]