NATURAL GAS DEMAND, SUPPLIES AND THE UK GAS MARKET

Motion Text

That this House notes that at the rate at which gas was being taken from storage on Tuesday 29th November the UK would have entered into a gas emergency and be required to switch off some, and potentially all, gas electricity generation, which is 40 per cent. of supply by mid-January; further notes that it was warmer on Thursday 1st December and, if it stays at similar temperatures, which is unlikely, the UK will not face a gas emergency this winter; further notes however that 13 per cent. of the gas in long-term storage was withdrawn in the last two weeks and that on the rolling seven-day average of storage withdrawals on Tuesday the UK would face a gas emergency by 1st February 2006; and believes that the Government should do more than pray for warm weather and should be looking at further action for preventing and minimising the severity on the UK of a gas emergency as a matter of urgency.