§ 20. Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will refer all increases in Government fees in future to the Price Commission, irrespective of whether or not the increase is consistent with the general rules on Government fees and charges.
§ Mr. John FraserMany Government fees and charges are subject to statutory consultation procedures and to parliamentary scrutiny, and it is not appropriate for them to be considered also by the Price Commission since they are set at a level to do no more than cover costs.
§ Mr. RidleyIs the Minister aware, however, that in, for example, the recent firearms fees orders the costs have escalated dreadfully? No private sector firm would be allowed to get away with that without its being looked into. Why does not the Minister get the Price Commission to investigate the fat bureaucrats who are living on shooters' and other firearms use fees being paid under those orders?
§ Mr. FraserI do not accept the premise in that question. As the hon. Gentleman pointed out in a debate in Standing Committee, if the fees had not been increased there would simply have been a consequential increase in public expenditure.
§ Mr. David PriceHow does the Minister apply this principle to the Pay Code, when many employers would like to give their workpeople at least the minimum necessary to keep up their standard of living but the code does not allow them to give it? Why should the Government be allowed to make these charges to take care of inflation when no one else is allowed to do this?
§ Mr. FraserThe bases upon which fees are charged has been published to the House in an answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Warley, East (Mr. Faulds) on 5th April 1976. The basis of charging is analogous to the Price Code.
§ Mr. RidleyOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the thoroughly unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek the earliest possible opportunity of raising the matter on the Adjournment.