§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether, in view of the intention of some gas undertakings to cease gas production and distribution, he will seek to set up a fund to compensate the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, private householders and other gas users, for loss resulting from breach of an undertaking to provide gas.
§ Mr. Giles ShawIn its energy statement of last July the Government undertook to enter into discussions with those gas undertakings which decided to close and to formulate proposals which would take into account the problems of gas consumers, and implications for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. Progress has been delayed by continuing uncertainty about the intentions of the undertakings in Belfast, Newtownards and Bangor, but specific proposals will be announced as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has for ensuring that the present uncertainty about the future of gas undertakings in Northern Ireland will not result in the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and private householders incurring unnecessary expenditure in installing new gas fires or in undertaking expensive repairs to existing installations.
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§ Mr. Giles ShawIt is for each gas undertaking to determine its future intentions in the light of the Government's energy statement of last July. Two of the 13 undertakings in Northern Ireland have indicated their intention to continue to182W supply piped gas and eight have decided to close. The uncertainty facing consumers in the remaining three areas—which include Belfast—can be resolved only by the undertakings concered coming to a decision.