§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he proposes to compensate companies for the abrogation of their rights to use natural gas as a chemical feedstock pursuant to Section 9 of the Continental Shelf Act 1964.
§ Mr. John SmithNo. The proposed amendment to Section 9 of the Continental Shelf Act is to ensure that, in all cases, this valuable indigenous resource is used in the best interests of the nation. This does not preclude its use as a chemical feedstock.