asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has seen the statement attributed to the chairman of the Alliance and Dublin Consumers' Gas Company forecasting a rise in the price of gas, and if he will undertake to ensure that no such increase will be permitted without the most rigorous examination of the working expenses and profits of this concern.

The price of gas may not be increased without my prior permission. Any proposal for an increase in price will be subject to detailed investigation in the light of all factors affecting production costs and the profit position of the undertaking concerned.