§ Captain Orrasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what agency services his Department has in Northern Ireland; what is the purpose of such services; and what is the annual cost to his Department.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydControl over the distribution and retail prices of coal in Northern Ireland is exercised by the Ministry of Commerce on an agency basis, their powers in this respect being derived from Defence Regulations and delegated to them by my Department. The full cost of the service is accordingly borne on the Department's Vote and is now about £17.000 per annum.