All 1 Debates between Lord Swire and Charlie Elphicke

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Swire and Charlie Elphicke
Wednesday 30th November 2011

(12 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Charlie Elphicke Portrait Charlie Elphicke (Dover) (Con)
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Does the Minister share my concern that some 70% of homes in Northern Ireland are heated with heating oil? Is not the priority to get them connected so that people can access a wider, more competitive market to bring prices down?

Lord Swire Portrait Mr Swire
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My hon. Friend is right. That is the vulnerability of the market in Northern Ireland, which is why we welcome discussions such as those being undertaken on the undersea energy grid by the Minister, Arlene Foster, on the isles project, and on fracking, which could have a serious effect, in a beneficial way, on energy provision in Northern Ireland.