HC Deb 12 February 1951 vol 484 cc19-20
31. Mr. Marlowe

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has yet arrived at any decision as to whether restriction of hire purchase facilities by the British Electricity Authority is required; and whether, before coming to any conclusion, he will publish comparable figures of the facilities offered by the Authority and by the private manufacturers.

Mr. Robens

My right hon. Friend has not yet decided that a restriction is required, but will continue to keep the matter under review. I doubt whether figures of the facilities offered by private manufacturers could be obtained.

Mr. Marlowe

If these figures are not obtainable, how does it come about that the Parliamentary Secretary's right hon. Friend committed himself to saying in last week's 'debate that the figures were not strictly comparable? How was he able to compare them if he could not get hold of the figures?

Mr. Robens

It seems to me that that is a question which ought to be addressed to my right hon. Friend himself.

Mr. Marlowe

I did address it to the right hon. Gentleman and the Parliamentary Secretary is here to answer for him.

Mr. Maudling

Is the Minister aware that these restrictions are desirable both on financial grounds and on grounds of economy in fuel?

34. Mr. Marlowe

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the terms of the agreement between the area electricity boards and the manufacturers of electrical equipment.

Mr. Robens

The agreement made between the Central Authority, the area electricity boards and the electrical contractors' associations in August, 1949, has been published as Appendix 34 to the First Report of the British Electricity Authority.

Mr. Marlowe

Has the hon. Gentleman read the agreement? Does it contain any clause relating to hire purchase facilities?

Mr. Robens

The agreement is there for the hon. and learned Gentleman to look at, and he can draw his own conclusions.

Mr. R. S. Hudson

Will the hon. Gentleman draw his right hon. Friend's attention to this, for he will discover, on reading it, that the information he gave to the House the other day, in answer to a supplementary question, was not in accordance with the facts?

Mr. Robens

I am always ready to convey the views of the right hon. Gentleman to my right hon. Friend.