HC Deb 31 October 1966 vol 735 cc35-6W
Mr. Edward M. Taylor

asked the Minister of Power if he will issue a general direction, in the public interest, restraining the Scottish Gas Board from increasing the price of smokeless fuels by Is. per bag as from 1st November; and if he will make a statement.

VISITS ABROAD BY M.P.B.W. MINISTERS DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS
Data Name of Minister Country Visited Purpose Cost
£
26th April, 1965 to 30th April, 1965 *Rt. Hon. Charles Pannell, accompanied by one official West Germany To investigate the Department's problems in Germany 200
4th June, 1965 to 13th June, 1965 *Rt. Hon. Charles Pannell, accompanied by one official Sweden and Denmark To study industrialised building methods 300
19th Sept. 1966 to 3rd Oct., 1966 *Rt. Hon. Reginald Prentice, accompanied by one official Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong To see how the Department could best and most economically meet the building needs of the armed forces and the diplomatic and consular services in these areas 2,500
* accompanied by Private Secretary.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what officials accompanied him on his tour of the Far East during the Summer Recess; what costs were involved; what was the result of his examination of the building needs of the Armed Forces; why this examination could not be carried out by his qualified representatives stationed in the Far East; and what economies are now planned as a result of these visits.

Mr. Prentice

I was accompanied by a Deputy Secretary and my Private Secretary; the total cost to public funds was about £2,500. I was able to discuss with local Ministers and senior officials in the places I visited the implications of reducing my Department's staff to accord with revised requirements for building work. I expect economies in staff to follow from these discussions.

Dr. Bray

Increases in the price of gas cokes on 1st November are due to the withdrawal of the discount allowed on solid fuels in the summer months to encourage stocking. Normal seasonal price variations of this kind are not affected by the prices standstill.