HC Deb 15 June 1959 vol 607 c22
40. Mr. A. Roberts

asked the Paymaster-General if he will convene a meeting of the chairmen of the National Coal Board, the Gas Council, and the Central Electricity Authority and representatives of the oil industry with a view to co-ordinating the fuel and power industries.

Mr. Maudling

My noble Friend has a statutory duty to secure the co-ordinated development of fuel and power in Great Britain and he arranges such consultations as are necessary for this purpose.

Mr. Roberts

Has such a meeting taken place recently between the chairmen mentioned in the Question?

Mr. Maudling

My noble Friend has had meetings with all the leading figures in the fuel and power industries, but, as this is a confidential matter, I am not prepared to say whom he has met on any particular occasion.

Mr. Shinwell

The right hon. Gentleman speaks about the power of coordinating, but is there any effective coordination in the fuel and power industries?

Mr. Maudling

If by "co-ordination" the right hon. Gentleman means the suppression of competition, the answer is, "No."

Mr. Shinwell

Surely this is a matter of considerable national importance. Surely competition has nothing to do with co-ordination. Is it not possible for the Minister to effect co-ordination between the three fuel and power industries while at the same time permitting an element of competition?

Mr. Maudling

No, Sir. As the Ridley Committee said a few years ago, a co-ordinated fuel policy should be based on free competition, but when hon. Members opposite put forward what they call a national fuel policy what they normally mean is the abolition of competition.