20. Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Minister of Power what is the average price of smokeless fuel in Scotland and England, respectively.
§ 53. Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Power if he will give details of prices of smokeless fuel in Scotland and England, respectively.
§ Mr. FreesonI have nothing to add to the reply I gave the hon. Member on 4th February, 1969.—[Vol. 777, c. 202.]
Mr. TaylorIt is about time the Parliamentary Secretary said that he did not have the information. Is it not absolutely disgraceful that when the Ministry, in conjunction with N.B.P.I., decides on increases in fuel prices he should not even have detailed information on the prices paid by people on such a very important basic item of the family budget, particularly in smokeless areas? Will he try to find out some facts?
§ Mr. FreesonThe hon. Gentleman should cease his bawling, even if it is rather quiet. He has misquoted what I said on the last occasion that the Question was put to me. I then said:
There is such variation in the prices as between different smokeless fuels, individual retailers towns and cities in different parts of the country, mainly reflecting transport costs, that it is not practicable to give accurate averages."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, Vol. 777, c. 202–3.]
§ Mr. DalyellIs it not very expensive for the Civil Service to produce such figures as these?
§ Mr. FreesonIt is not a question of expense to the Civil Service. It is a question of practicability.
§ Mrs. EwingIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the cost of smokeless fuel is high in Scotland and that as long as we have the United Kingdom we should at least have the benefit of prices that are no higher than United Kingdom prices?
§ Mr. FreesonI think that the hon. Lady has already had her answer. My only additional comment would be that this is very largely a question for the merchants. Unlike other fuel industries such as gas and electricity, the distribution is in the hands very largely of individual merchants who range in size and number considerably throughout the country.
21. Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Minister of Power by what percentage the price of gas for domestic consumption in Scotland exceeded the price in England and Wales in the most recent annual period for which figures are available.
§ Mr. FreesonAverage domestic revenue per therm in Scotland in 1967–68 was 31..5 pence. This was about 30 per cent. above the average for England and Wales, but lies within the range of variation for individual boards in those countries.
Mr. TaylorCan the Parliamentary Secretary explain why the price of gas in Scotland in 1964 was 13 per cent. more than the average in England and Wales and why in every year since then it has increased until Scotland is now, according to his figures, paying about one-third more for gas compared with the average for England and Wales? When will there be a reverse of this trend?
§ Mr. FreesonThe costs of production are different. That comment applies to the previous Question, too. I do not think that the hon. Gentleman listened sufficiently carefully to my Answer. The last part pointed out that this 30 per cent. difference lay within the range of variation for individual boards in England and Wales.
§ Mr. RidleySince gas is hardly made from coal at all, what is the new factor making for higher costs in Scotland? Will the Parliamentary Secretary have an inquiry into this matter, because it seems no longer to bear any relevance to costs?
§ Mr. FreesonA very large part of the difference in the cost of gas production in Scotland arises besause there is a much lower average density of population than that in the country as a whole and therefore the servicing of supplies to widespread communities is higher, as indeed it is in other similar parts of the United Kingdom.
Mr. TaylorOn a point of order. In view of the highly unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.