§ 40. Captain Duncanasked the Minister of Fuel and Power why the first Report and Statement of Accounts of the Scottish Gas Board dealing with the period up to 31st March, 1950, was only published on 14th March, 1951; and what steps he proposes to take to see that the Report for 1951 is published timeously.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerUnder the Act of 1948, the reports of the Gas Council and of all the area boards must be laid before Parliament at the same time. The boards took over the work of more than 1,000 undertakings, some of which were municipal or statutory enterprises, while others were owned by private individuals or companies. The accounting methods of these undertakings varied widely, and to secure a workable common basis for the presentation of the boards' accounts has been a long and complex task. These difficulties will not arise in future years.
§ Captain DuncanDoes the Minister not realise that it is very unsatisfactory for Parliament to have the Report almost a year late, that it is unsatisfactory to the taxpayers, who realise that there is a lot of money involved—about £280,000—and that it is unsatisfactory to consumers to know that they have had to pay up to 3½d. more per therm, as well as being unsatisfactory to the administrative staff who have had no increase in wages since 1945? Will he at least look into the last part of the Question?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI have explained the great difficulties that arise. The Boards are fully alive to the importance of getting their reports out as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Anthony GreenwoodI hope that my right hon. Friend's Department do not make a practice of using the last word in the Question.
§ Captain DuncanIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is a jolly good Scots word?