§ Mr. Lubbockasked the Minister of Power what is the reason for the increase in price of Algerian methane delivered at Canvey Island from the figure of 6¼d. per therm given in the Report of the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries, H.C.77, page 59, and the present figure of 7½d. per therm.
§ Mr. FreesonI am informed by the Gas Council that roughly ¼d. a therm has to be added to the 6½d. a therm quoted by the hon. Member, as the return on the Gas Council's share of the capital employed in shipping the gas to the United Kingdom. The resulting figure of 6½d. has been increased by ¾d. a therm by devaluation, and ¼d. under escalation clauses in the contract covering wages and taxes in Algeria.