BRUCE QUIZZES SECRETARY OF STATE ON GAS MAINS EXTENSION
September 20, 2011 5:05 PM
Liberal Democrat MP for Gordon, Malcolm Bruce, has called on the Secretary of State for Scotland to press the energy companies to extend the gas main and ease the burden on many local householders.
In the House of Commons last week, Mr Bruce asked whether the Secretary of State for Scotland had raised the plight of the 1 million households in Scotland that are not on the gas main with the energy companies.
In has answer, the Secretary of State agreed that it was important that consumers have as much choice as possible and assured the Gordon MP that he would discuss the matter with the energy companies.
Afterwards, Mr Bruce commented:
"The past two winters have been particularly bad. As we approach the colder months once more and faced with high heating oil and LPG prices, many constituents will struggle to keep warm as they try to balance their household bills.
"Households without access to the gas mains are forced to rely on expensive alternatives such as domestic heating oil and LPG to keep their homes warm. Furthermore, they are also unable to take advantage of dual fuel discounts, the deals that are available to customers who buy their electricity and gas from a single supplier.
"The cost of heating fuel for someone who is not on the gas mains is, on average, a third higher than those with access to the gas mains. It is no surprise then that a significant proportion of these households, including many of my constituents in Gordon, are experiencing fuel poverty.
"I welcome the Secretary of State's assurance that he will raise this issue with the energy companies when he next talks with them, that he will speak up those without access to the gas mains and that the Government will continue to seek to relieve the pressures on consumers."
ENDS
Notes:
Full transcript of the question and the Secretary of State's answer [14 Sep 2011: Column 1019]:
Malcolm Bruce (Gordon) (LD): In his discussions with the energy companies, has the Secretary of State discussed the 1 million householders that are not on the gas main? What are the energy companies going to do to extend the gas main and give those householders the opportunity to use a cheaper fuel than oil?
Michael Moore: We are keen to ensure that consumers have as much choice as possible, whether through extending the transmission networks for all different kinds of energy or through looking at ways of enhancing competitiveness in the market by increasing transparency and improving smart meters. All those measures need to be looked at, and I will certainly put the right hon. Gentleman's point to the energy companies the next time we talk.
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