§ 28. Mr. James Johnsonasked the Minister of Power if he will make a statement on supplies of natural gas which are now becoming available for use as a chemical feedstock.
§ Mr. Roy MasonAgreements are being completed for the supply of large quantities of natural gas by the Gas Council to Imperial Chemical Industries and Shellstar. Total supplies will build up to about 1,000 million therms a year by 1972.
§ 39. Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Power when plans will be announced for North Sea gas to be available for sale in Devon and Cornwall.
§ Mr. MasonI am informed that work on plans is now proceeding which could result in natural gas becoming available in parts of Devon in the year 1971–72, extending as far as Plymouth by not earlier than 1973–74. The date cannot be given at present for supplies further west.
§ 48. Mr. Gibson-Wattasked the Minister of Power when North Sea gas will be available to consumers in the South Wales area.
§ 58. Mr. Lubbockasked the Minister of Power whether he will revise his original estimate of the cost of converting gas appliances in Great Britain to use natural gas.
§ Mr. FreesonI have no reason, at this stage, to revise the original estimate that the whole operation would cost about £400 million at 1966 cost levels. The present average of £34–£35 is higher than the 1966 estimate of £30 per consumer over the full ten-year period, but it was always expected that initially costs would be high and would fall in real terms with experience and economies of scale.
§ 59. Mr. Lubbockasked the Minister of Power what quantities of natural gas, 254W in millions of therms, he estimates will be used in the years 1968–69 and 1969–70, respectively; and if he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table giving a breakdown of the total according to source.
§ Mr. FreesonThe Gas council estimate that a total of about 1,400 million therms of gas from the North Sea and Algeria will be used in 1968–69 and about 3,350 million therms in 1969–70.