§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he proposes to give further assistance to large industrial users of electricity by encouraging the Central Electricity Generating Board to make special purchases of coal dedicated to reducing the cost of electricity to such users.
§ Mr. GoodladI am concerned that British industry as a whole should be able to obtain the most favourable tariffs possible, taking account of costs and other constraints within which the electricity supply industry operates. Load management schemes introduced by the industry in recent years have contributed to making their industrial tariffs competitive with those in other EEC countries, with the exception of France, where generating costs are considerably lower. The Electricity Council is considering a number of proposals for the extension of those schemes, and financial allowance for them is incorporated in next year's external financing limit announced last month for the industry. I understand that the council is also examining with the CEGB the possibility referred to by the hon. Member.