Written question asked by Bob Spink (Conservative) on Monday, 12 December 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 14 December 2005. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Monday, 9 January 2006 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Wood Panel Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research he has commissioned into the effect of the recent increases in wholesale gas prices on the wood panel industry; and if he will meet representatives of the industry to discuss the matter.

Answer: The Department has commissioned research to update work on the demand side in the gas market, carried out earlier this year and published on the DTI website at http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/pub1ications/policy/index.shtml.I, as well as DTI and Ofgem officials, have met numerous industry representatives on several occasions to discuss the impact of gas prices and ways of mitigating this. I have also exchanged correspondence with Mr. Alastair Kerr of the Wood Panel Industries Federation on the subject. I would be happy to meet him and/or his colleagues for further discussion if a mutually convenient time can be arranged.

Secondary information