Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what percentage of the UK's gas distribution industry is owned and operated by companies based outside the UK.

All of the GB gas distribution network companies are owned and operated by companies registered and based in the UK, and are subject to a domestic legal and regulatory framework. These companies are owned by a diverse range of stakeholders based both within the UK and outside:

• National Grid Gas Distribution, which operates four gas distribution networks, is currently owned in full by National Grid, based in the UK. However, a consortium managed by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets, based in Australia has recently been named as successful in its bid to co-own the company, although the deal is not yet complete.
• SGN (previously known as Scotia Gas Networks) operate two gas distribution networks and are owned by SSE plc, Borealis Infrastructure Management Canada and Ontario Teacher’s Pension Plan with SSE recently announcing their intention to sell part of their stake to the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. These companies are based in the UK, Canada and the United Arab Emirates respectively.
• Northern Gas Networks run one gas distribution network and are owned by companies associated with Li Ka Shing including Cheung Kong Infrastructure based in Hong Kong and SAS Trustee Corporation based in Australia.
• Wales and West Utilities run one gas distribution network and are also owned by companies associated with Li Ka Shing, notably Cheung Kong Infrastructure based in Hong Kong.