52. Miss Wardasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what schemes for capita] development in the Northern Gas Board area he has at present under consideration.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksThe Northern Gas Board's general programme of develop. ment provides for an increase of about 20 per cent. in gas supplies over the next five years.
Miss WardIs my hon. Friend aware that, during the recent cold spell, gas consumers in the North of England felt that they had been swindled? Will he see that, in future, there are sufficient gas supplies during cold spells to avoid a repetition of that experience? It was a jolly old swindle on the consumers.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksI am not aware of that feeling among my hon. Friend's constituents—
§ Mr. Joynson-Hicks—but my right hon. Friend's responsibility in this matter is to approve the general programme of development by the area boards and not the particular projects with which they may be concerned. I can, however, reassure my hon. Friend to the extent that considerable fresh supplies of gas will become available from new projects now coming into operation. In addition, the Northern Board has applied for, and received, authority for an additional extension to its projects.
§ Mr. RobensIs not the matter which the hon. Lady has raised a matter for the Gas Consultative Council, and has it been referred there?
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksI cannot say whether it has been referred to the Consultative Council.
§ Mr. WilleyIs the hon. Gentleman aware that my constituents say that the gas industry ought to have been nationalised 20 years ago.