§ 4. Mr. Ridsdaleasked the Minister of Power how much capital has been invested in the past 10 years in the gas industry; and what has been the percentage price increase in gas in these years.
§ Mr. John MorrisExpenditure on fixed assets in the ten years ended 31st March, 1964, totalled £558 million. During this period, the average revenue per therm of gas sold rose by 40 per cent.
§ Mr. RidsdaleIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that that figure compares with an investment in the electrical industry of £3,000 million and a price rise of 18 per cent.? In view of the price rises and the capital employed in that industry, does he not think that the time has come for an urgent independent inquiry into the capital structure of the nationalised industries?
§ Mr. MorrisAs regards this industry, no.