37. Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will direct the Scottish Economic Planning Council to initiate a study of the effect of fuel prices on the Scottish economy.
Mr. TaylorIs the Minister aware that Scottish housewives are paying more than 25 per cent, above the average price of gas south of the Border, and that the Scottish Gas Board today anticipated further increases up to the 1970s? In view of this, is he seriously saying that, as our sole voice in the Cabinet, he is not even prepared to look into this problem?
§ Mr. RossI do not think that the question relates in any way to the Cabinet. The hon. Gentleman asked me whether or not in the interests of the Scottish economy we should ask the Scottish Economic Planning Council to look into this matter. If the Scottish Economic Planning Council felt that this was of such singular importance and that there was something they did not know about, they would initiate a study. This is only one factor in relation to prices in the Scottish economy, and there is no indication that this specifically is retarding growth in any way.
§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownWould my right hon. Friend agree that, while we appreciate his natural suspicion about the motivation of the Question asked by the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward M. Taylor), it is said in the recent statement by the Scottish Gas Board that it will be three to four years before the benefits of North Sea gas are available in Scotland. The disparity, therefore, will be increased and the examination might be worth while.
§ Mr. G. CampbellAs the Secretary of State has made a curious arrangement under which he is also the Chairman of the Scottish Economic Planning Council, why does he not arrange for a study to be carried out from his other resources in the Scottish Office?