Orders of the Day — Gas Price Increases

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 5:22 pm on 2 March 1982.

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Photo of Nicholas Winterton Nicholas Winterton , Macclesfield 5:22, 2 March 1982

Will the hon. Gentleman not agree that the same facilities were previously provided without the standing charge and that the monopolies operated at a profit? Why is there the need to tax us through these standing charges which most people, as the hon. Gentleman says, find unacceptable? I agree with the hon. Gentleman. I am one of those hon. Members who intends to exercise his right as a Back Bencher. I shall not support the Government. I shall not support the Opposition motion. I shall, however, abstain to show my objection to my Government's energy policy.