HC Deb 28 March 1983 vol 40 cc10-1
10. Mr. Edwin Wainwright

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make arrangements to meet the chairmen of the National Coal Board, the Central Electricity Generating Board, and the British Gas Corporation to discuss future energy supplies for the United Kingdom.

Mr. Gray

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I meet the chairmen from time to time to discuss a wide range of issues.

Mr. Wainwright

Instead of the Government fighting the British trade unions, should they not bring together the three chairmen of the energy industries and the trade unions to try to bring about greater harmony so that the nation can have greater production? Is the Minister aware that if Mr. MacGregor is appointed chairman of the coal mining industry it will be the most discouraging action that can be taken against the top men in the British mining industry? When will the Government show some common sense and ensure that we rely on our own instead of appointing outsiders at a tremendous cost to the country?

Mr. Gray

The Government have no desire to quarrel with any industry and they go out of their way to cooperate. If the Government received the same co-operation at every level matters would be much healthier. The hon. Gentleman will have to await my right hon. Friend's statement on the new chairman of the National Coal Board.

Mr. Greenway

As the British Gas Corporation and the electricity supply industry had monopoly control of their industries in 1981–82, does my right hon. Friend agree that it was preposterous that they should have spent £45 million on advertising? Would not that money have been better spent on reducing standing charges, particularly for pensioners?

Mr. Gray

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has dealt effectively with standing charges and has made a substantial contribution towards the welfare of pensioners and the less fortunate in our society. I have already commented on the boards' advertising expenditure, but the raising of the matter again highlights the anxiety that is felt about it in the House.

Mr. John Evans

Would it not be a good idea to bring those three distinguished gentlemen together to discuss an intelligent energy conservation programme, since most experts at the moment believe ours is in a shambles?

Mr. Gray

I do not think that all experts would agree with the hon. Gentleman. A substantial amount of energy conservation is being carried out and from time to time discussions take place with the chairmen of those boards that are directly responsible.

Mr. John H. Osborn

When my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State meets the chairmen, will he also discuss prices? As well as the chairman of the British Steel Corporation being interested in electricity prices, all industries are interested in gas prices. Should they not come down in line with oil prices?

Mr. Gray

Gas prices are constantly being reviewed by the Government and the chairman of the British Gas Corporation. One should not assume automatically that the price of one fuel would come down because another has.

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