asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether there is a monthly or other standing charge for industrial consumers of natural gas in the Netherlands, and, if so, at what rate; whether the Dutch national gas company intends to raise the price of gas for industrial consumers on 1st October 1975; and, if so, to what rate.

According to our latest information, tariffs for industrial consumers of natural gas in the Netherlands include a standing charge of between FL 370 and 2,500 a month depending upon the amount of gas in question. Increases in the price of gas for industrial consumers in the Netherlands are a matter for the Dutch national gas company, but according to its 1974 annual report these prices are linked with those of oil.