HC Deb 19 November 1951 vol 494 c19
39. Mr. Ralph Morley

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will remodel the consumers' councils for electricity on a more representative and democratic basis.

The Minister of Fuel and Power (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)

The general composition of the councils is governed by statute, and I am not at present prepared to recommend amending legislation.

Mr. Morley

Is the Minister aware that his right hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Kelvingrove (Lieut.-Colonel Elliot) recently said that nobody in his area knew either the names or the addresses of the members of their consumers' council, and since this lack of knowledge appears to be fairly general, would it not be advisable to have these councils elected by a democratic vote of all the consumers in the area?

Mr. Lloyd

I am surprised that the hon. Member is so keen to alter these organisations which, after all, were established by his own party.

Major Anstruther-Gray

Is there any way in which consumers' councils can protect consumers from being fined for offences for which they are themselves in no way responsible as happened in Yorkshire the other day?

Mr. Lloyd

I should like to see that question on the Order Paper.

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