Abstractup last year with the Secretary of State for Energy as Chairman. At its first meeting in November 1977, the Secretary of State (Tony Benn) pointed out ‘the commission's task was to advise and assist in the development strategy of the energy sector in the UK, and on such specific aspects as from time to time might be referred to it. It was a multilateral body, whose organizations were responsible for spending £3¾ billion a year—about 16 per cent of total capital formation in the UK.’The objective was an integrated and coordinated energy policy. This would be evolved by discussion, and would need to enjoy public confidence. The government's interest was the availability of supply, the need for a balanced investment programme, and the proper planning and integration of investment expenditure.