§ Mrs. GormanTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he is taking to allow energy prices to be determined by market forces.
§ Mr. WakehamPrices of petroleum products are already determined by market forces. It is the Government's policy that where systems of regulation exist they are designed to promote competition and over a period of years to produce prices which reflect the appropriate market forces. The Government seek to ensure that the price of energy reflects the true costs of production including a fair return on investment.