asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on his policy on prices on the fuel industries and its relationship to the counter-inflationary policy.

The Government's policy is that the nationalised energy industries should charge economic prices which avoid subsidies and encourage conservation. The Government will continue to give careful consideration to the precise level of prices proposed in the context of their policies overall, and will, as necessary, take steps to modify the impact on the poorer members of the community.