§ 29. Mr. Ridleyasked the Minister of Power if he will make a statement about the terms under which the gas and the electricity board are to be allowed to compete for business on new housing estates.
§ Mr. John MorrisMy right hon. Friend will do so as soon as he is ready.
§ Mr. RidleyAlthough we have no objection to the hon. Gentleman's right hon. Friend trying to define the ground rules under which the two boards are to operate, may I ask the hon. Gentleman 1339 whether he will undertake to the House that he will do nothing which will restrict competition between these two rival fuel industries?
§ Mr. MorrisSome competition between the fuel industries is inevitable and, indeed, very desirable, but there must be co-operation between nationalised industries and that should be in the consumers' interests. All I would say is that my hight hon. Friend is as anxious to find an early solution to this problem as he was in the matter of the resale of electricity, where people were finding themselves in difficulty when there were unscrupulous landlords who were taking advantage of them.