§ 7. Mr. Colvinasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will make a statement on the expansion plans of British Gas prior to privatisation.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithNo, Sir. Business plans are a matter for the corporation.
§ Mr. ColvinThat reply was not particularly helpful.
Will my right hon. Friend tell the House what steps he intends to take to persuade British Gas to honour such commitments as it has entered into to expand services to rural areas, because there is a growing feeling in rural areas, especially among domestic consumers, that if they did not get gas prior to privatisation they will never get it?
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithMy hon. Friend raises an important and sensitive issue, and I am glad to reassure him that the present obligations of the British Gas Corporation will be carried over to the new company.