HC Deb 06 July 1981 vol 8 c10W
22. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has any further plans for depriving British Gas of its profitable or other undertakings.

Mr. Norman Lamont

I cannot anticipate the statement which my right hon. Friend the Minister for Consumer Affairs is to make on the Government's response to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report on domestic gas appliances and any impact this may have on British Gas' appliance retailing activities. My right hon. Friend has laid before Parliament a draft direction requiring the corporation to dispose of its interest in the Wytch Farm oil licence and we are considering the question of its other oil interests.