Power Stations (Natural Gas Supplies)

HC Deb 22 September 1971 vol 823 cc11-2W

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether he will give general directions to the Gas Council and area gas boards to permit the Central Electricity Generating Board to pipe natural gas purchased in liquefied form from anywhere outside the United Kingdom and the United Kingdom sector of the Continental Shelf from the port of entry to power stations;

(2) whether he will introduce legislation to amend the Gas Act, 1948, to enable the Central Electricity Generating Board to pipe natural gas purchased in liquefied form from anywhere outside the United Kingdom and the United Kingdom sector of the Continental Shelf from the port of entry to power stations in selected parts of the United Kingdom.

Mr. Ridley

No such action is necessary. Proposals from the C.E.G.B. to use natural gas from overseas in power stations would have to be considered on their merits.