§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what recent information he has on leakage levels of methane from the gas distribution system; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonInformation on methane emissions from a variety of sources, including the gas distribution system, is contained in table 2.12 on page 24 of the 1989 edition of the Department of the Environment's publication, "Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics". A copy of this publication is in the Library of the House.
The Department of the Environment is currently undertaking a study to improve the understanding of methane emissions and thereby the accuracy of the inventory.