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Oral Answers
17 JANUARY 1972
being a developing country and a dependent territory?
Mr. Grant: There
was a detailed exchange of views. Each Government has been given a full understanding of the other's position and each side is now considering its position.
Mr. Joel Barnett: Would the hon. Gentleman confirm that if we enter the Common Market on 1st January, 1973, he will have to reduce the level of import quotas to bring them into line with those in Europe? Will he reduce the present level in order to
get
smoother transition?
a
Mr. Grant: I take note of what the hon. Gentleman says, but I am not in a position to make such an announcement at this stage of the talks.
Natural Gas Conversions (Compensation)
25. Mr. Thomas Cox asked the Secre- tary of State for Trade and Industry what is the annual amount of compensa- tion being paid by gas boards to people whose gas appliances are not being con- verted to natural gas.
Mr. Ridley: I understand that the gas industry does not keep this information.
Mr. Cox: Is not the hon. Gentleman aware of the widespread criticism of the amounts of compensation which are being paid? In my area, they range from £2 to £5 for each gas appliance which is not converted, and I have constituents who are without heating this winter because of the inadequate compensation which they have been paid. Will the hon. Gentleman take it that in one case, for
example, an elderly gentleman was paid £6 for three gas fires, and it has cost him £85 to obtain other heating appliances? Is not this a scandalous way to treat people? Will not the Minister show more interest in the matter?
Mr. Ridley: Where the customer does not wish to buy a new cooker or fire, the gas boards offer a reconditioned one free of charge. As regards portable fires, the gas boards are withdrawing all such fires for safety reasons and are compensating the customers accordingly. If the hon. Gentleman has specific complaints, I suggest that he gets in touch with his gas board, which is responsible for ad- ministering these arrangements. I have
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Oral Answers
20
no responsibility to tell gas boards how to proceed.
Mr. Cox: In view of the totally ua- satisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
Upper Clyde Shipyards
26. Mr. Rankin asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the present amount of publicly- and pri- vately-owned capital in Govan Ship- builders Limited; what further investment in both spheres is anticipated; and if he will make a statement.
60. Mr. Edward Taylor asked the Sec- retary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a further statement on the position of the Upper Clyde shipyards.
Mr. John Davies: I shall, with permis- sion, answer these Questions at the end of Question Time.
London Airport (Industrial Dispute)
27. Mr. Frank Allaun asked the Secre- tary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the inquiry which has been held into the use of air- port police dogs during an industrial dispute at London Airport.
Mr. Anthony Grant: The British Air- ports Authority has now invited Mr. P. J. Matthews, the Chief Constable of Surrey, to carry out this inquiry.
Mr. Allaun: It is a long time a-coming. Has the Minister noted that, last month, the Home Secretary told me that it would be contrary to the normal practice to use dogs at industrial or political mectings? Will he give an assurance that it will not be repeated, in view of its provocative effect, at London Airport or at any establishment or premises under his
control?
Mr. Grant: At this stage, I have noth- ing to add to what my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary told the hon. Member.
Mr. Molloy But will the hon. Gentle- man recognise that this is an extremely serious affair, and that no previous inci- dent has ever brought such bitterness as that which arose on the occasion to which the Question refers? It was an orderly meeting, a proper and normal
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