Smokeless Fuels (Price)

HC Deb 31 January 1963 vol 670 c1107

21. Mr. A. Roberts

asked the Minister of Power what steps he proposes to take to control the retail price of smokeless fuels.

Mr. Peyton

None, Sir. Competition is likely to be a good deal more effective than any system of price control.

Mr. Roberts

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I was appalled by the prices being charged to poor people? The increase was equivalent to about £1 per cwt. Is it not immoral to take advantage of the poor during the kind of weather we have been experiencing?

Mr. Peyton

It will always be immoral to take advantage of the poor during such weather, but I cannot add to my comprehensive reply.

Mr. M. Stewart

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this rise in prices was quite widespread but that those of us in London were happy to find that people who use the London Co-operative Society are not subjected to this exploitation?

Mr. Peyton

The hon. Member is doing a very nice bit of advertising. I only say that we do not believe that any system of price control would be effective or would make a useful contribution.