HC Deb 25 October 1979 vol 972 c295W
Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, since his announcement of the decision of Her Majesty's Government not to supply the United Kingdom's natural gas reserves to Northern Ireland, what steps he has taken to ensure an alternative supply of gas to the Province.

Mr. Giles Shaw

All sources of gas to which Northern Ireland consumers had access before my statement of 23 July are still available. It is for each gas undertaking in the Province to decide whether or not it can continue to provide gas, without Government subsidy. In discussions with my officials, suppliers of liquid petroleum gas have stated confidently that they will be able to meet increased demand for their products arising from reduced availability of town gas.