§ Mr. Costainasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he intends to publish the report of the Monopolies Commission on gas and electricity connection charges.
§ Mr. Normantonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he intends to publish the report of the Monopolies Commission on gas and electricity connection charges.
§ Mr. NobleThe report is being published today. My hon. Friend the Minister for Industry is asking the electricity boards in England and Wales to implement the conclusions of the majority of the Commission that there should be a uniform charge within each Board's area for electricity connection in normal cost cases. This implies an average charge of £35, or possibly a little more, since the Commission's calculations were based on 1970 costs. My right hon. Friends, the Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland and for Scotland, are making similar requests of their respective electricity authorities. The Commission saw no need to suggest any change in the gas industry's general practice of making no charge for connection in normal cost cases.