§ 23. Mr. Bostonasked the Minister of Power if he is aware that increased electricity charges in the South-East are the result of the obligations imposed on the electricity supply industry by the last Government's White Paper, The Financial Obligations of the Nationalised Industries; and if he will seek to reverse the policy contained in that White Paper.
§ Mr. Frederick LeeI cannot altogether agree with my hon. Friend's assumption and would refer him to the reply given by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, Central (Mr. Palmer) on 22nd December, 1964.
§ Mr. BostonWould my right hon. Friend accept that had it been in order I would have preferred to have asked him to what extent this policy has resulted in these charges? Can he give that information?
§ Mr. LeeThe South-East Board introduced new tariffs in 1962 and again in 1963 at levels which were then calculated to enable it to reach its target as agreed with the Government under the White Paper policy. The increase in April, 1965, was due to increased costs and not to any change in the target.