§ 36. Mr. Moyleasked the Minister of Technology whether he will seek powers to require the oil industry to declare publicly the actual average prices it charges industry for bulk supply orders by fuel and by area.
§ Sir J. EdenNo, Sir.
§ Mr. MoyleIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the gas and electricity industries are made to provide this sort of information and that this puts them at a competitive disadvantage with respect to the oil industry? Will he reconsider his decision and act to remove what I am sure he will regard as an anomaly?
§ Sir J. EdenThe circumstances of the industry are different. The great majority of gas and electricity consumers are charged on the basis of published standard tariffs, and average prices are, therefore, reasonably representative. The oil industry is made up of a large number of competing companies.