§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy on how many occasions negotiations with chemical companies have either broken down or been deferred because North Sea gas was not available at prices which would make the ventures viable.
§ Dr. John Cunningham:I am not a party to negotiations between chemical companies and potential suppliers of North Sea gas, and there is no legal requirement that I should be informed of their outcome. Nevertheless I think I should be informed if a major negotiation was to founder because the supplies of North Sea gas could not be obtained at a reasonable price. I know of no such case.