§ 9. Mr. Dempseyasked the Minister of Power what steps he proposes to take to cut out the wasteful competition between the gas and electricity services, especially in the field of consumer services; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BrayThe proper co-ordination of the fuel industries is a major aspect of the current fuel policy review.
§ Mr. DempseyIs the Minister aware that we have these elaborate and expensive gas and electricity showrooms provided virtually side by side? Is not this wasteful competition, and has not the time come to bring economic prudence to bear on the minds of these administrative bodies?
§ Dr. BrayThe possibility of co-operation in such matters has been examined from time to time, but in the past the balance of advantage has appeared to lie in showrooms, billing, and so on, being the responsibility of each industry. At the moment we are reviewing rather more fundamental aspects of co-operation.
§ Mr. BiffenIs this one of the subjects to which Mr. Michael Posner will be invited to devote his attention in his capacity as economic adviser to the Ministry?
§ Dr. BrayHe will be dealing with the fundamental economics of the fuel industries in the first place.