asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will ensure by Order or otherwise, that it shall be an offence for anyone to waste coal, electricity, or gas?

I am afraid that it would be impossible to enforce an Order in such general terms as my hon. Friend suggests.

Will the Minister introduce a similar Order in more specific terms? As throwing away a piece of paper is an offence, should it not be an offence also when there is a very grave waste of fuel?

Certain Orders have been made which I have mentioned to the House. There is the Order on advertisement lighting restriction. Perhaps, in the course of the Debate which we may have in the near future, further aspects of this matter will be considered.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman say about a fortnight ago that he was considering the whole question of the unnecessary use of lighting in clubs, hotels, restaurants and railway stations? Is he yet in a position to make a statement on the subject?

No, Sir, not yet, but I shall be upon an early occasion, I daresay.

Will the Minister consider encouraging a wider use of wood fires in this country, especially in some areas?

That is part of a rather larger question, and I do not think I will go into it at this moment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, to save labour, he will arrange for gas and electricity meters in any building to be read by the same man whether supplies be rationed or not?

I agree with my hon. Friend that this would be a most sensible and practical economy, and I am in consultation with the representative organisations of the gas and electricity supply industries on this matter. I am glad to know that the Gas, Light & Coke Co, and the County of London Electric Supply Co. have already made such arrangements in certain areas.

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.