HC Deb 10 February 1966 vol 724 cc593-4
16. Dame Irene Ward

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs how many increases in the prices of products of nationalised industries have been absorbed by the industries; and how many have been handed on to the consumer.

Mr. George Brown

The nationalised industries gives us information in advance of all important prospective increases and where it has seemed desirable that the justification for specific proposals should be examined, we have not hesitated to refer them to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

Dame Irene Ward

Will the right hon. Gentleman now give me a specific assurance that there will be no further increases in the cost of products of the nationalised industries? In view of the statement that we are to have an increase in the price of coal and in view of the increase in the price of electricity on the North-East Coast, can we know that these are to be absorbed in future just as he is telling other industries to absorb increases?

Mr. Brown

The hon. Lady must not always rely on what she reads in newspapers.

Forward to