§ Mr. Archerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, following the decision not to use Kinsale gas, what the additional cost of providing full compensation to all gas consumers in Northern Ireland would be, including compensation for the restoration of damage following the removal of gas pipes and the cost of redecoration; and what estimate he has made for the conversion of public buildings to alternative fuels following the decision not to use Kinsale gas.
§ Dr. BoysonThe cost of the gas conversion assistance scheme is estimated at £20 million. The additional cost of extending to industrial and commercial consumers the full least-cost conversion or replacement grant payable to domestic consumers is estimated at approximately £4 million.
In disconnecting consumers from supply it is not the existing practice of the industry to remove pipes and fittings on private property once they have been purged and made safe. In the absence of detailed information on 99W existing gas appliances and individual assessments of the impact of conversion on each dwelling, it is not possible to provide any estimate of the cost of redecoration.
The estimate for the conversion of public buildings to alternative fuels, following closure of gas undertakings, is £9.75 million.