asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) whether he will seek to amend sections 8 to 11 of the Energy Act 1976 to enable the private sector to pursue added value in the use of gas without first obtaining the consent of the British Gas Corporation;(2) whether he will seek to amend section 29 of the Gas Act 1972 and section 8(1) of the Energy Act 1976 to modify the monopoly powers of the British Gas Corporation over the supply of natural gas.

I have no plans to do so at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy upon how many occasions his consent has been sought under section 9(5) of the Energy Act 1976 relating to natural gas required for a process of liquefaction.

Two consents have been sought and granted.