§ Mr.Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will give an assurance that he will not issue any general directions to the British Gas Corporation to alter its marketing policy on the rate of extraction of natural gas.
§ Dr. J. Dickson MabonWe discuss marketing and depletion policies regularly with the British Gas Corporation in the context of our consideration of its annual corporate plan. As we are in broad agreement there is no need for general directions.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his policy on the depletion of natural gas, particularly in view of the abundant supply of associated gas, and the need for the production of crude oil.
§ Dr. J. Dickson MabonWe have recently arranged for British Gas and BNOC to set up a study company to establish how much associated gas may economically be brought ashore in the Northern Basin. Until these studies have been completed it will not be possible to judge what effect this gas will have on depletion policy.