HL Deb 27 May 1971 vol 319 cc1432-3WA
THE EARL OF DUDLEY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What statutory powers Ministers have to limit or control price increases, or to reduce prices; to what categories of goods and services any such powers apply; and which Minister has such powers; and from which Act of Parliament the powers derive.

LORD DRUMALBYN

The principal statutory powers concerned with prices and charges which are of general concern are listed below. Those of more limited application are so numerous that to provide a detailed list would involve a disproportionate expenditure of time and effort.

So far as the nationalised industries are concerned, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has limited powers under the relevant statutes relating to the gas, electricity, coal and steel industries to give directions about prices and charges on representations from the appropriate statutory consumer bodies.