Viscountess ASTORasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government inquiry into the possibility of an area system of gas distribution has been started; and when a report on this question may be expected?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe Committee which will make this investigation will, I hope, be appointed very shortly. The National Fuel and Power Committee, on whose recommendation the investigation is being made, estimated that the new Committee would be able to produce useful preliminary results in the course of a year.
Viscountess ASTORasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government have been notified of the restrictions imposed by past legislation upon the manufacture of gas, whether for heat or light; whether he is aware that the industry is unable to expand or compete with electricity by raising fresh capital or by amalgamation or by alteration of the methods of charge; and whether it is proposed to introduce legislation dealing with the matter?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI have received: representations from the National Gas Council as to the desirability of the amendment of the existing legislation relating to gas undertakings. I referred these proposals, together with comments and supplementary suggestions by the Board of Trade based on the Board's experience of the administration of the existing system, to the National Fuel and Power Committee for their consideration and report. I expect to receive a report from that Committee very shortly. It would be impossible to deal with a comprehensive and complicated Bill in the present Session. But I am taking, all possible steps to prepare the way for the expeditious passage of legislation when time is available.