HC Deb 13 March 1996 vol 273 c978
15. Ms Corston

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from the south-west office of the Gas Consumers Council about the salary provision of the chairman and chief executive of British Gas. [18703]

Mr. John M. Taylor

I have received no such representations.

Ms Corston

The chairman of British Gas has just retired on £250,000 a year, with a pension package worth £3 million, while complaints against British Gas in the south-west region doubled to 3,000 last year. Does the Minister think that the decision to axe 25,000 skilled jobs in the gas industry has contributed to the soaring number of complaints? Why does boardroom pay continue to go through the roof while people are expected to put up with poorer service?

Mr. Taylor

First, the chairman of British Gas has not retired. Secondly, why does the hon. Lady not consider instead the best interests of consumers in her constituency? We believe that competition is the consumer's best friend, and it is about to commence in her area, with a pilot scheme starting on 29 April. That is eagerly awaited by consumers, who stand to gain considerably from it.

Sir Michael Grylls

Is my hon. Friend aware that my constituents in Surrey would very much like the opportunity to choose an alternative supplier for their gas and would welcome competition? Will he and his colleagues in the Government do all that they can to bring about and spread competition as quickly as possible?

Mr. Taylor

So far as I am concerned, we cannot spread competition fast enough. However, we need to complete the pilot in the south-west which begins on 29 April, and learn the lessons from it with all speed so that the advantages can be spread to my hon. Friend's constituents as well.