§ 3. Mr. Kenneth Carlisleasked the Secretary of State for Energy what progress has been made on the gas-gathering pipeline project.
§ 20. Mr. Douglasasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will report progress on the creation of the North Sea gas-gathering system.
§ Mr. GrayOn 31 October I received from the gas-gathering organising group an interim report. It confirmed that good progress has been made on land and permit acquisition, engineering design, and related matters; and that completion by 1984–85 can still be achieved. The report contained recommendations, which I have approved, that the organising group work towards the formation of an interim pipeline company by no later than the end of March 1981.
Meantime, work is being financed through joint venture arrangements.