21. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will confer with the Ministry of War Transport and other appropriate Departments with a view to ensuring that the power companies as a whole throughout the country do not increase their revenues by obtaining, via the coal clause, sums in excess of that required to cover the actual increase in the cost of coal; and whether he will take appropriate action to ensure a cheaper cost of current to the consumers.
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe operation of the coal clause is generally an integral component of the tariffs charged by electricity supply undertakings to power consumers. A scrutiny of these tariffs must wait on the re-organisation of the electricity supply industry, which is at Present receiving the active consideration of the Government.
Mr. De la BèreIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that, in the long run, it is always the consumer who pays, and that he is generally asked to pay rather more than he should be asked?