asked the Secretary of State for Energy why he has not yet published the exceptional circumstances which justify his intervention, under the Counter-Inflation Act 1973, to increase gas prices outside the provisions of the Price Code; and when he intends to do so.

The ministerial consent will appear in the Gazette tomorrow and the majority of national newspapers shortly afterwards. As to the justification for my intervention, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Mr. Moonman) on 28th March.