§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether, following the Government's decision to require the British Gas Corporation to raise its domestic prices by 10 per cent. in excess of the rate of inflation in 1980, 1981 and 1982, he will make it his policy that no such requirement will be made for 1983 and that a price standstill will take place next year instead.
§ Mr. John MooreThe Government, together with the British Gas Corporation, will be considering future domestic gas pricing policy in the context of setting the corporation's financial target for the years subsequent to 1982–83. No decisions have yet been taken.
§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether, in the interests of assisting the Government's counter-inflation policy, he will direct the British Gas Corporation to cancel forthwith its proposed domestic gas price increases in April and October; and whether he will give reasons for his decision in this matter.
§ Mr. John MooreIt is essential that the three-year programme of correcting imbalances in the gas market announced by my predecessor on 16 January 1980 be completed. The British Gas Corporation's proposed increases for 1982 represent the last phase of this programme. The Government, together with the corporation, will be considering future gas pricing policy in the context of the corporation's next financial target.