HC Deb 27 April 1981 vol 3 cc335-6W
Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what study he has made of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on domestic gas appliances; if he has any plans to amend the gas appliance retailing monopoly of the British Gas Corporation; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Sally Oppenheim

The Government are considering what action would be appropriate to follow the report. A statement will be made as soon as practicable.

Mr. Wrigglesworth

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what support has been given to the citizens advice bureau service from Government funds in each of the last five years.

Mrs. Sally Oppenheim

Payments of grant-in-aid to the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux have been as follows:

£million
1976–77 1.152
1977–78 1.408
1978–79 1.308
1979–80 1.852
1980–81 4.018

Mr. Wrigglesworth

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is prepared to consider giving extra funds to the citizens advice bureau service to help it cope with the increased demands upon its services.

Mrs. Sally Oppenheim

I am currently considering an application for additional funds from the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux.

Mr. Wrigglesworth

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what application has been received for Government funds from the citizens advice bureau service for the current year.

Mrs. Sally Oppenheim

An application from the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux for grant-in-aid in 1981–82 was received in September 1980, and a grant of up to £4.963 million has been provided for in the Department's Estimates, considerably in excess of the previous grant. The association has subsequently applied for a substantial continuing increase in Government funding, which would involve an additional £1.5 million in the current financial year.

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