THE UK Government was urged last night to increase support for the exploitation of North Sea gas reserves in the wake of Russia’s dispute with the Ukraine which cut off supplies to Europe.
The plea came from Gordon Lib Dem MP Malcolm Bruce and West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine Lib Dem MP Sir Robert Smith as Russian Premier Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Yulia Tymoshen-ko claimed to have reached an agreement which should see gas flowing to the EU.
The MPs have sent a letter to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband warning the fragility of supplies demonstrated by the dispute signalled the need for the government to stimulate the search for more gas reserves, to give the UK greater security by improving domestic gas supplies.
Mr Bruce said: “We think the government should be doing what it can to consider what incentives can be offered to the sector to ensure maximum production.”
Sir Robert said more investment is needed to improve the UK’s security of supply.