§ 40. Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government intend to introduce a Bill this Session to amend the legislation governing gas undertakings; if so, at what date will the Bill be introduced; and what is its main purpose?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Herbert Williams)Yes, Sir; a Bill to amend existing gas legislation is now being drafted, and I hope that it will shortly be introduced in another place.
§ Mr. WELLOCKWill the Bill cover the question brought out in the National Fuel and Power Committee's report dealing with the Midland area?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSI must ask the hon. Member to await the introduction of the Bill. The particular matter to which the hon. Member refers has been referred to a committee of investigation.
§ Mr. ALEXANDERThe Parliamentary Secretary has not answered my question as to what is the purpose of the Bill.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSI ask the hon. Member to await the introduction of the Bill.
§ Colonel WOODCOCKIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the late introduction of this Bill is a great disadvantage to commercial companies who wish to alter their Articles, and that they are put to great expense in consequence? Under these circumstances, will the hon. Gentleman take steps to bring in this Bill as quickly as possible?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSI think my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to a subsequent question on the Order Paper. The question we are now dealing with relates to gas legislation.
§ Mr. ALEXANDERIs the hon. Member aware of the opinion, as expressed in the Press, that the Bill is non-contentious, and has the Government taken any steps to ascertain if it is non-contentious?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSI do not think that at Question Time we can discuss the text of this Bill, and I would ask my hon. Friend to await its introduction.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODMay I ask if the Bill allows the gas companies to increase their dividends?