§ Mr. HardyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the volume of gas consumption which will be met from United Kingdom resources in 2000.
§ Mr. EggarUnited Kingdom gas reserves are estimated to be sufficient to meet all our likely needs to and beyond the year 2000, but their precise contribution to consumption in that year will depend on a number of 335W factors, including the rate of offshore exploration, appraisal and production, the development of gas trade, and the level of demand, all of which will depend in turn, on the price of gas and alternative energy sources.