HC Deb 21 April 1958 vol 586 cc605-6
16. Mr. Palmer

asked the Paymaster-General why the Committee of Investigation into possible improved co-operation between the electricity and gas industries has only been empowered to consider the performance of statutory functions and the administration of services of a like kind, in spite of a previous Ministerial statement that it should be empowered also to consider alleged unnecessary advertising, hire purchase, capital investment, the economies of meter reading and the sale of appliances; and to what extent this represents a considered change in the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Maudling

There has been no change in Government policy. The Committee has been set up to consider how by co-operation between the gas and electricity industries the administration of services of a like kind provided by them to the public might be improved. In carrying out its inquiries, the Committee is free to consider any of the subjects mentioned by the hon. Gentleman in so far as it regards them as relevant.

Mr. Palmer

Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider that there was a marked conflict between the statement made by his noble Friend in another place and the statement made by his hon. Friend in this House? Would it not be valuable to the working of Parliament if Ministers said the same thing in both Houses?

Mr. Maudling

Having examined those statements, I cannot see any conflict between them.