HC Deb 28 May 1968 vol 765 cc1512-4
21. Mr. Eadie

asked the Minister of Power what is the average price of gas to industrial consumers in Scotland, England and Wales.

Mr. Freeson

The average realised price for gas sold to industrial consumers in 1966–67, in pence per therm, was 19.1 in Scotland, 13.3 to 20.1 in England and 14.2 in Wales.

Mr. Eadie

Do I take it from that Answer that industrial gas in Scotland is very much cheaper than elsewhere in the United Kingdom? In any event, is my hon. Friend aware that consumers of gas feel that they have been "conned" by high pressure advertising about the price of gas, which, for them, will not be cheaper?

Mr. Freeson

I was not seeking to suggest that a lower price is being paid for gas in Scotland. I think that my hon. Friend heard only one of the two figures I gave in the range from 13.3 to 20.1 pence per therm. To answer the latter part of his supplementary question, I would not agree that there has been any "conning" of the public by the gas industry.

Mr. G. Campbell

Do not the figures reveal that the average price of gas in Scotland is much higher than in England and Wales?

Mr. Freeson

It might help if I gave the figures again. They are in pence per therm 19.1 in Scotland, 13.3 to 20.1 in England—but there are many boards in England—and 14.2 in Wales, which also has one board.

Mr. Dempsey

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that gas is a nationalised service, like the National Health Service, for which we in Scotland do not have to pay more by way of National Insurance contributions? Should not the same principle apply to gas?

Mr. Freeson

The principle operative in the gas industry, as in the electricity and other industries, is that prices must as near as possible reflect the actual costs of production. That cannot be said of the National Insurance Scheme, which is not an industry and which, therefore, does not vary from one part of the country to another.

Mr. Emery

As there still appears to be some confusion about this, will the hon. Gentleman give the average weighted figure for England, which will then show that the industrial consumer is paying much more in Scotland compared with the average figure for the rest of the country?

Mr. Freeson

I do not know why there should be any confusion about this. I explained that there is a range of boards.

Mr. Emery

Answer the question.

Mr. Freeson

I am answering the question. There is a range of boards and these boards run the industry throughout the country. There is one in Scotland, one in Wales and several in England. [Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order.

Mr. Freeson

Hon. Gentlemen opposite represent the gentlemanly party, no doubt. [HON. MEMBERS: "Get on with it."] The figure for England is, on average, 15-point-something and—[Interruption.] I do not have the exact figure and I have given that one from memory.