§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the Government plan to introduce private capital into the British Gas Corporation and reduce the scale of the gas monopoly established under the Gas Act 1972.
§ Mr. Norman LamontI have no plans at present to introduce private capital into the BGC. The Government are considering the possibility of changes to the British Gas Corporation's gas monopoly.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list in the Official Report the oil production interests of the British Gas Corporation on shore and upon the continental shelf; and if he will give his estimate of the current value of the several assets involved.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe British Gas Corporation hold the following licence interests in oil fields currently under production or development on the United Kingdom mainland and on the United Kingdom continental shelf:
(a) Offshore Field Block Licence No. Per cent. Interest Beryl A 9/13a P. 139 10 Beryl B 9/13a P. 139 10 Fulmar (extension) 30/11b P. 185 25.77 N. W. Hutton 211/27 P. 184 25.77 Montrose 22/17a P.019 30.77 Montrose (extension) 22/18a P.020 30.77
(b) Onshore County Licence No. Per cent. Interest Wytch Farm Dorset PL 089 50 (Source: Department of Energy, Development of the oil and gas resources of the United Kingdom, 1981).
The question of the value of these interests is a matter for the corporation, and I will ask the chairman to write to the hon. Member.