§ Mr. Alexander Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Energy what progress he has made in studying his Department's estimates with a view to making economies.
§ Mr. BennI must ask the hon. Member to await the publication of the White Paper on Public Expenditure and the Estimates which will be based thereon.
§ Mr. Alexander Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Energy how much was spent in real terms by his Department for 1973–74 and 1974–75; and what is the anticipated increase in expenditure in real terms for 1975–76.
§ Mr. BennExpenditure at 1974–75 prices by the Department of Energy and its predecessor was: 1973–74, £430.6 million; 1974–75, £540.2 million. The 1975–76 Estimates are for £586.8 million, an increase of £46.6 million over the previous year. Of these totals £125.7 million was paid in 1973–74, £217.8 million in 1974–75 and £315 million is included in the 1975–76 Estimates as compensation to the British Gas Corporation and the electricity boards in England and Wales for losses due to price restraint.