§ 8. Mr. MARDY JONESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation during the present Session of Parliament to abolish the many obsolete legal restrictions which are hindering the development of the gas industry?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Sutton, Plymouth (Viscountess Astor) on 8th November, a copy of which I am sending him.
§ Mr. JONESIs the Department fully alive to the need for the withdrawal of these restrictions, which are a serious hindrance to the development of this industry; and, in view of the fact that the gas industry is such a large consumer of coal, would it not facilitate the development of the coal industry if the restrictions were withdrawn?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am probably more alive than almost anyone, as I have been working on it for the last two years, to the need for some legislation, but the whole field covered by the different problems involve matters which would inevitably lead to a great deal of discussion. Some of them would probably be controversial, and it would not be possible to deal with them at a time when there is not an opportunity for full Parliamentary discussion.
§ Mr. JONESIn view of its importance to the gas industry, and the importance 198 of the gas industry as a subsidiary of the coal industry, could not this legislation be expedited?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERIt does not rest with me to expedite the business—
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER—nor with the Cabinet to expedite the business in this House; the hon. Gentleman knows what time is inevitably taken up in discussions in this House on large Measures.
§ Mr. W. THORNEWill the right hon. Gentleman speed up the Committee which, I understand, has this matter under consideration, with a view to bringing up some kind of recommendation; and, if they do bring up a recommendation to wipe out these obsolete restrictions, will the Government give consideration to the matter?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTEROf course, the Government will give consideration. As a matter of fact, the National Fuel and Power Committee are proceeding as fast as they can, and I shall probably receive their Report to-day. This question divides itself into matters which are controversial, and those which are not, and naturally I cannot commit the Government at this stage to any matters which are not entirely settled by common consent without discussion.