HC Deb 08 April 1976 vol 909 cc309-11W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what matters are covered by the words "otherwise howsoever" in Clause 10(3) of the Energy Bill.

Mr. John Smith

The Corporation's consent may be given subject to conditions framed as described in Clause 10(3) or in any other way.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if the reference under Clause 10 of the Energy Bill includes a petrochemical plant; and /or up to what point in processing does a plant cease to be a refinery.

Mr. John Smith

The term oil refinery in Clauses 8 and 10 is used in its normal sense to describe premises where crude oil is distilled and refined.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if it is intended that gas through pipes in Clause 8 of the Energy Bill includes gas in liquid phase.

Mr. John Smith

Yes.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will indicate the location of refineries in the United Kingdom affected by Clause 10 of the Energy Bill listing the pipelines likely to be affected and the type of gas carried by each.

Mr. John Smith

Clause 10 covers all gas supplied to premises in Great Britain through pipes from a refinery. All refineries in the United Kingdom could be affected. These are listed in Table 29 of the Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics 1974 a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if it is intended that Clause 8 of the Energy Bill should apply to LPG processed from feedstock obtained from an area outside the North Sea, the territory of the United Kingdom and territorial waters and that Clause 10 should apply to LPG supplied by pipeline derived from feedstock similarly obtained.

Mr. John Smith

Clause 8 does not apply to anything other than natural gas obtained under licence from the United Kingdom Continental Shelf. Clause 10, however, covers the supply of any gas produced by, or in the course of, a process of refining petroleum.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will clarify the processes involved in the expression "any process of liquefaction" in Clause 8(3)(b) of the Energy Bill.

Mr. John Smith

The expression "any process of liquefaction" involves any process whereby the gas in question is liquefied.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether "original licensees" in Clause 8(4)(b) of the Energy Bill may purchase the entitlement of offshore gas off other original licensees operating in the same consortium without first obtaining the consent of the Secretary of State.

Mr. John Smith

No consent to such purchase is required under Clause 8, which only controls the supply, use or liquefaction in Great Britain of offshore natural gas.