asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he is satisfied that gas used for domestic purposes has a sufficiently pungent smell to ensure detection of leakages at an early stage; and whether he is satisfied that adequate research has been carried out in this matter in view of the increasing number of gas explosions that have taken place recently.

I am advised by the Controller of Gas Standards that he considers gas used for domestic purposes to have a sufficiently pungent smell and that adequate and continuing research on the matter is taking place. But the point is, of course, one which can be considered by the three-man inquiry team set up jointly by the Chairman of the British Gas Corporation and my right hon. Friend, and whose terms of reference he announced on 7th January.