§ Mrs. Wiseasked the Secretary of State for Energy how much will be added to the labour costs of the gas boards by the proposed increase in the employer's share of the national insurance contributions; and whether he expects this to have any effect on prices.
§ Mr. BennI am informed that the British Gas Corporation estimates the cost in a full year to be about £7 million. It is too early to say what will be the effect on prices since this is merely one of several factors entering into any review of the corporation's tariffs.