asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that his prohibition for over a year of any increase in the price of gas caused heavy loss to municipal and commercial gas suppliers; and whether he proposes to grant a subsidy to meet this loss?

No, Sir. Since the Board of Trade Order was made on 26th May, 1941, prohibiting increases in the price of gas except under licence, less than 10 per cent. of gas undertakings have applied for licences to raise their prices to the public. Most of these applications have been granted in whole or in part. I do not think it can be maintained that gas undertakers are being treated unfairly in comparison with other industries which have suffered as a result of the war and I am not prepared to recommend my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to grant a subsidy from public funds.