§ 3. Mr. Laneasked the Minister of Power by how many million pounds, and by what percentage, he expects the aggregate capital expenditure of the coal, gas and electricity industries to increase in each of the next two years, compared with the immediately preceding year.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Power (Mr. Reginald Freeson)On present information and at constant prices, I do not expect any increase.
§ Mr. LaneThat is gratifying, but will the Parliamentary Secretary keep a 4 doubly careful eye on the future trends of these estimates so that there is no tendency for them to slip upwards?
§ Mr. FreesonAll capital expenditure programmes of the nationalised industries are very closely examined before they are approved.