MPs' probe into rural gas supply problems in South Craven (From Keighley News)

MPs' probe into rural gas supply problems in South Craven

7:20am Tuesday 9th October 2012 in News

Gas supply problems faced by people living in remote parts of South Craven are being investigated by MPs.

Julian Smith, who represents the area in Parliament, is a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Off-Gas Grid.

The group has launched an inquiry into issues affecting people who do not receive mains gas.

It will follow on from recent work on off-grid fuel poverty by the Energy and Climate Change Committee and last year’s market study of the off-grid sector by the Office of Fair Trading.

The aim of the inquiry is to investigate the ways off-grid consumers are disadvantaged compared to mains gas users, and possible solutions.

Mr Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon, said: “Many households across my constituency are among the four million nationwide not connected to the mains gas network and are reliant on more expensive heating sources.

“Despite this, they do not have the same protection as mains gas users.”

Mr Smith said the inquiry would look into the challenges that off-grid customers faced.

The APPG wants interested parties to submit written evidence to the inquiry before next Friday, October 12, with a report to be published by early December.