§ Miss Boothroydasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will take steps to reduce energy costs to industry, to protect its industrial competitiveness, by mechanisms used by other Governments; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MooreThe Government are committed to the principle of economic energy pricing, as are all European Community member States. Where there is firm evidence that other member States are not observing the principle, and are thereby unfairly subsiding energy costs, we will not hesitate in backing up our industries in representations to the Commission. More generally, we shall be seeking to ensure, in the relevant international fora, that other countries also follow similar principles.