§ Mr. Michael BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he has any information as to what proportion of piped gas is presently supplied to large consumers by any company other than British Gas;
(2) if he has any information as to what proportion of piped gas in the United Kingdom is presently supplied by British Gas.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonMy Department does not have reliable information available.
§ Mr. Michael BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his answer of 1 March,Official Report, column 210, if he has any information about how British Gas will determine in the future the actual level of prices of firm gas for large industrial consumers; and whether a competitive market for the supply of piped gas currently exists in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonI have nothing precise to add to my answer of 1 March 1989 at column210 about the actual level of prices of firm gas. However, the measures taken following the MMC report are intended to encourage the development of competition in gas supply to customers over 25,000 therms.