asked the Minister of Power if he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to the Central Electricity Generating Board that it should curtail further increases in the cost of electricity supplies to the area boards.

No, Sir.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the continued rise in the costs of the products and services of the nationalised industries is causing very grave concern to members of the general public, particularly to that section of the public who exist on small fixed incomes? Will my hon. Friend consider submitting the workings and whether an increase in price is required by a nationalised industry to, perhaps, the Monopolies Commission to see whether, in fact, some rise is justified?

No, Sir. I must remind my hon. Friend that the bulk supply tariff is a matter for the Central Electricity Generating Board. The Board stated that the reason for the recent increase was the larger capital expenditure, heavy increases in running costs and increases in transmission costs. I do not think that I can help my hon. Friend.

Will the hon. Gentleman confirm that the increase in the price of electricity compares favourably with increases in prices generally and that the Select Committee of this House which reported on the electricity supply industry submitted the proposition that the consumers were getting very good value for money?

I do not disagree.