HC Deb 06 March 1972 vol 832 c226W
65. Mr. Edwin Wainwright

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the amounts of gas, in millions of therms, that the Gas Council has imported into the United Kingdom over each of the past 10 years; what is the estimated cost; and how these costs compare with similar amounts of gas from the North Sea.

Mr. Ridley

In 1971, 642,650 tons of liquefied natural gas—about 330 million therms—were imported at a cost of £10.4 million. Figures for earlier years, since imports began in October, 1964, are published in United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics, copies of which are in the Library of the House. The price of North Sea gas has varied according to the terms of the contracts for particular fields and I am asking the Chairman of the Gas Council to send details of published prices to the hon. Member.