§ 7. Sir C. Osborneasked the Minister of Power how much capital has been invested in the coal, gas and electricity industries, respectively, since they were nationalised; how much each industry has contributed by way of taxation of profits towards the maintenance of the Welfare State; how many are employed in each industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ErrollThe value of capital assets acquired by the National Coal Board since nationalisation was £1,057 million to December, 1962. The figures for the gas industry and the electricity industry in England and Wales are £635 million and £3,001 million to March, 1963. As a result of the scale of investment and consequent tax allowances, liability to taxation of profits has been £10 million for the National Coal Board, negligible for the gas industry, and nil for the electricity industry. The numbers of employees in the three industries are 598,000 in coal, 124,000 in gas, and 211,000 in electricity.
§ 8. Sir C. Osborneasked the Minister of Power by what percentages the average charges to the consumer for coal, gas and electricity, respectively, have risen since the industries were nationalised; if he is satisfied that these industries are being run as economically as possible: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ErrollAverage proceeds per ton, per therm and per kilowatt-hour have risen by 5.6, 4.7 and 2.1 per cent. per annum respectively. I am sure that the managements of the nationalised fuel industries fully realise their responsibilities. The policy of the Government is to promote the efficient and economic operation of the industries.