§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the price paid by industry for natural gas in other EEC countries is significantly lower than it is in the United Kingdom; and whether he will impose countervailing duties on imports of products made by these industries on the lines which have been suggested in the case of imports from the United States of America.
§ Mr. Norman LamontIt is very difficult at present to say definitively how United Kingdom industrial gas prices compare with those in Europe. Valid comparisons of gas prices in EEC countries are particularly difficult, given possible differences in timing of contracts, 21W escalation provision, exchange rates and calorific value. The United Kingdom has no powers to impose countervailing duties on imports from other member States.