§ Mr. SCURRasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received an application from the Gas Light and Coke Company under Section 1 (3) of the Gas Regulation Act, 1920, for an Order to increase the standard price of gas from 11d. to l£4d. per therm; whether he is aware that the dividends paid by this company were £5 6s. 8d. per cent. in 1924 and £5 Is. 4d. per cent. in 1925; and whether, considering that the costs of production have not increased since 1923, he will afford the House an opportunity for discussing the matter before making any Order?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKThe application in question has been received. I am informed that the company paid a dividend of £5 6s. 8d. for the year 1924, and that for the first half of the present year they paid a dividend at the rate of £5 6s. 8d. per annum, but that, owing to an increase in the price of. gas they will be authorised to pay for the current half-year a dividend at the rate of only £4 17s. 4d. per annum. In considering the application, the Board of Trade will have to decide whether the costs of production have, in fact, altered. Objections to the application have been received from local authorities within the company's area of supply, and, accordingly, the Board propose to hold a public inquiry. In these circumstances, and having regard to the fact that the Board in this matter are exercising powers which have been delegated to them by Parliament, I am not prepared to vary the customary procedure.