42. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the Act of Parliament which stipulates that gas supplied by the gas companies 22 throughout the country shall be of a declared value, although the gas is sold by the cubic foot, he will give an assurance that there is an adequate check on the various undertakings throughout the country to ensure that the consumer receives the regulation number of British thermal units per cubic foot; and what the average number of British thermal units per cubic foot is throughout the country.
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe question how far the machinery for testing the thermal value of gas is adequate depends on the extent to which local authorities or consumers exercise their powers to secure the appointment of gas examiners and on the efficiency with which the tests are made. I am not entirely satified with the present arrangements, which are now, in common with other questions relating to gas, being investigated by the Committee of Inquiry into the Gas Industry. As regards the second part of my hon. Friend's Question, the declared calorific value at which gas is sold varies considerably from undertaking to undertaking, but the average is about 470 British thermal units per cubic foot.
Mr. De la BèreIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that I welcome his statement that he is not entirely satisfied, because I am not satisfied at all?