§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he has yet issued the necessary directive to the Gas Council to impose the price increase announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 15th December; what increase in profits and return on capital these new charges will produce; and what the resultant effect will be on the current financial arrangements between the Council and the Government.
§ Dr. J. Dickson MabonDetails of the increase have still to be worked out in agreement with the British Gas Corporation, but it will result in a reduction in the level of Government financing.