§ 33. Mr. Douglasasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the North Sea gas-gathering system.
§ Mr. GrayI refer the hon. Member to my reply of 27 April—[Vol. 3, c.510–11]—to my hon. Friend the Member for Bedford (Mr. Skeet).
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy why it has taken so long to arrange the financing of the gas-gathering pipe line in the North Sea; what volume of gas will be flared for each month of delay; and what is the loss of revenue resulting from the omission to provide facilities.
§ Mr. GrayThe financing of the gas-gathering pipeline is taking time to arrange because of the size of the project and the number of interests involved. The organising group has had to examine a number of matters in developing financing proposals which preserve the integrated gas-gathering concept while avoiding needless calls on the public purse. This process has however not held back work on physical aspects of the project, and there has therefore been no delay or omission to provide facilities.