§ Mr. Isaacsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether consideration has been given to the decision to raise the price of gas; whether such increase has been approved; and what steps it is proposed to take to protect consumers from excessive charges?
§ Mr. StanleyI am aware of the decision to increase gas prices in London. I have examined generally this increase, though approval by the Board of Trade is not required. Consumers are protected because the companies concerned are operating under statutory controls which, when charges for gas are high, limit the dividend to an amount not exceeding 5 per cent.