Sir, - In the report on An Bord Gais profits for the year (June 11th) it was stated that, even though the Bord would be importing more gas from the North Sea, there would be no price increase. What it did not say was that there was an increase in the conversion rate from cubic metres to KWh.
When I inquired about this, I was told that North Sea Gas has a higher calorific value and that I would use less gas as a result. In theory this may apply to a boiler, but not to an open coal effect gas fire. On my current bill the conversion rate has increased from 10.7997 to 11.4612 and this adds an extra £7.67p to the bill which is in the region of seven per cent. I call this an increase, whatever the Gas Board calls it. - Yours, etc., Dermot Shankey,
Braemor Park,
Dublin 14.