§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to ensure that measures to increase competition in the gas industry are not at the expense of people living in rural areas a long way from North sea sources of supply; and if he will make a statement. [41769]
§ Mr. PageNo such measures are necessary. Competitors are already promising to offer domestic customers in the south-west—the first region which is to be opened up to competition in April 1996—lower prices. In fact, one company has already made public its intention to offer prices that are 15 per cent. or more below British Gas's current standard tariffs. This is despite the fact that the region includes large rural areas and is a long way from the North sea.