Written question asked by Ann Winterton (Conservative) on Tuesday, 16 July 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 24 July 2002. It was answered by Brian Wilson (Labour) on Wednesday, 24 July 2002 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what representations she has received about the development of onshore subterranean gas storage and processing facilities; and what her Department's policy is on the development of such facilities. - Inc fact that correspondence with Cheshire county council, letter of 27 March in Library. (Dep 02/1729).

Answer: Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received about the development of onshore subterranean gas storage and processing facilities; and what her Department's policy is on the development of such facilities. [71469] Mr. Wilson: The Department discusses such schemes with oil and gas companies, and other interested parties, from time to time. Details of such discussions are commercially confidential. In correspondence with Cheshire county council my Department has noted that gas storage facilities make a valuable contribution to the reliability of physical gas supplies and to maintaining competition in the gas supply chain, and that consumers (including electricity consumers who indirectly rely on gas) benefit in both ways. I am placing a copy of my Department's letter of 27 March in the Libraries of the House.

Secondary information