Written question asked by Lord Mann (Labour) on Tuesday, 13 May 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 20 May 2003. It was answered by Brian Wilson (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 May 2003 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 have been made by Ministers in (a) 2002 and (b) 2003 to Transco about access to gas supplies; what targets have been set for the number of households accessible to gas supply by (a) 2005 and (b) 2010.

Answer: John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what representations have been made by Ministers in (a) 2002 and (b) 2003 to Transco about access to gas supplies; [113986] (2) what targets have been set for the number of households accessible to gas supply by (a) 2005 and (b) 2010. [113980] Mr. Wilson: The regulation of gas transportation, including connections to the mains gas network, is the responsibility of the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (OFGEM). The Government have not set targets for the numbers of households connected to the network. However, since 2001, in the context of its Fuel Poverty Strategy, the Department of Trade and Industry has been in discussion with Transco and other interested parties about connections to the mains gas network, with a view to promoting industry-led projects to extend the network. I expect the first industry-led projects to begin this year.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 405 c716W;405 c714W; 113986;113980
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Access Energy supply Distribution Households Natural gas Pipelines Utilities Transco
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk