HC Deb 18 March 1969 vol 780 cc176-7
2. Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Minister of Power if he will take steps to stop the usage of connecting charges as an instrument of competitive marketing by the nationalised fuel industries.

Mr. Freeson

My right hon. Friend is discussing with the Electricity and Gas Councils the systems of connection charges used by the two industries.

Mr. Roberts

Would not my hon. Friend agree that the time for discussion of this matter is now well-nigh over and that the essence of public ownership is replacement of undesirable competition by healthy co-operation? Would he not take some urgent steps to avoid the undesirable use of connecting charges by some boards as a weapon in this field?

Mr. Freeson

I hope that the review of this matter is well-nigh over and that soon we shall be able to get a conclusion satisfactory to all persons and industries concerned.

Sir J. Eden

Why has this matter taken so long? Did not the Government make clear that they were reviewing it at the time when the 1965 White Paper on policy was published? Could not the hon. Gentleman give a general direction to the boards concerned, or, better still, leave this matter to their commercial judgment?

Mr. Freeson

This is a rather complex subject which did not arise in 1965 but was developing over a number of years before then. We are making a serious study of the problem, and we think we shall find an answer soon which will obviate a general need for such a direction and at the same time meet the needs of the industries from an economic and commercial point of view.