HC Deb 18 July 1968 vol 768 cc268-9W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Power whether he is aware that under the London Gas Regulations persons intending to install gas appliances have to inform the Gas Board 24 hours beforehand; and in the interests of safety, whether he will take steps to make these regulations generally applicable, and to provide that private gas installations must be passed as satisfactory by a Board inspector before gas connection and lighting by the resident or occupier.

Mr. Freeson

My right hon. Friend is aware of the provision referred to. Check by gas boards of private installation work is one of the matters he is considering in connection with the new Bill on the gas industry mentioned in the debate on the 22nd May by my right hon. Friend the Member for Southwark (Mr. Gunter).— [Vol. 765, c. 549.]

£ million
1966–67 1967–68 Estimate 1968–69 Total
Grants associated with social costs of pit closures 1.3 5.3 8.0 14.6
Grants for costs of deferred pit closures 1.0 2.5 3.5
Grants to C.E.G.B. for additional coal burnt 1.5 5.5 7.0
Payments to redundant miners 2.6 2.6
Total 1.3 7.8 18.6 27.7

In addition the £415 million capital write-off under the 1965 Act has saved the N.C. 8. about £20 million a year in interest payments to the Exchequer.