asked the Minister for Transport and Power if the Electricity Supply Board have been permitted to charge price increases retrospectively.

(Cavan): I would refer the Deputy to the statement issued on my behalf by the Government Information Services on 8th March, 1977, in connection with, inter alia, electricity price increases. The detailed price increases which the board subsequently announced were in accordance with the decision indicated in the statement.

Does the Minister think it fair or just that some ESB consumers were asked to pay the price increase for the month of February when the prices increases were not granted until March? Is it usual for the National Prices Commission to grant price increases retrospectively?

(Cavan): According to the information at my disposal there are precedents for the procedure which was adopted on this occasion. The general conditions relating to the supply of electricity would appear to provide for retrospective increase. The increase took place from 1st February and was announced on 8th March. The general conditions relating to the supply of electricity, which have been operating for a considerable time, provide for increases from time to time and also for increases without notice.

Is the Minister aware that people who received ESB bills for January-February did not have to pay these increases but the bills for February-March included these increases?

(Cavan): I imagine that would be correct because the increases took effect from 1st February.

Is the Minister aware that those who received and paid bills for January-February did not have to pay the increases, but the people who received February-March accounts had to pay the increases?

This is repetition.

(Cavan): This seems to be a separate question. I am not aware that what the Deputy says is correct and I cannot contradict him.

Is the Minister aware that my informant is the ESB head office? Will he have a look at this matter in the light of this information?