§ 2. Mr. FormanTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what programmes his Energy Efficiency Office operates to disseminate advice on energy efficiency to consumers of electricity.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Energy (Mr. Peter Morrison)We promote efficiency in the use of all sources of energy, including electricity.
§ Mr. FormanI am grateful for that reply. What statutory role will there be after privatisation for the electricity companies to give advice on energy efficiency?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe 12 distribution companies have a statutory role now under the Electricity Act 1989. That role will be overlooked by the Office of Electricity Regulation, which already has good contacts with my Energy Efficiency Office.
§ Mr. FoulkesIs the Minister aware that he is one of the few Ministers who deals with Opposition questions on 4 energy efficiency and other matters with a great deal of courtesy? It makes a change. Is he as fed up as I am at reading in every paper over the weekend of his imminent demise and possible replacement by the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, the hon. Member for Stirling (Mr. Forsyth)? If that happened would not it speak volumes about the appalling state of the Tory party?
§ Mr. MorrisonI am most grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his complimentary remarks. Unless I am gravely mistaken I am still standing here.