asked the Minister for Industry and Energy if the committee he established to inquire into electricity prices have yet furnished an interim report as directed by him; and if he will publish this as soon as it is available.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Electricity Prices.
2.
The Committee of Inquiry into Electricity Prices has not yet furnished their interim report, but they will do so in early November.
As this interim report is intended only to identify those factors which, in the committee's view, are susceptible to speedy quantification and early action, and will not contain a complete account of the work of the committee, it may not be appropriate to have it published before the full report is available. I would not propose to take a firm decision on this until I have seen the interim report.
The fact that the Government tend not to publish reports would lead one to suspect that they are aware of the contents and there is something in them that the public should know. Will the Minister confirm that he will publish this interim report because the question of electricity costs is so central to economic recovery here and the policies being pursued by the Government of closing down turf stations?
The reports has not been presented to me and I am not aware of its contents. Therefore the question of publishing it or not does not arise.
In view of the open Government policy of the Minister's party and his partners——
We cannot have argument at Question Time and this sounds like it.
It is not argument. Will the Minister commit himself to publishing this report so that we can have a full and open discussion on electricity costs generally?
I do not propose to take a firm decision on it until I have seen the interim report.