§ 3.12 p.m.
§ Lord BOYD-CARPENTERMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are considering the introduction of machinery for consumer representation and for the settlement of disputes with consumers in the water industry.
§ Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTONMy Lords, a measure of accountability by water authorities to consumers already exists. The majority of their members are appointed by local government and these members, invariably councillors, can and should provide a channel for customers; their meetings are open to the public; they come within the jurisdiction 406 of the Commissioner for Local Administration; they are subject to audit; they are answerable to Parliament through Ministers; and, lastly, they are subject to the provisions of the Competition Act.
The future of the consumer bodies for all the nationalised industries is however at present under review and we will be considering the position of the water industry in relation to that review in due course.
§ Lord BOYD-CARPENTERMy Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that extremely interesting reply, may I ask him whether the Consumer Council has made representations to the Government on the subject of consumer representation in respect of water authorities?
§ Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTONYes, my Lords, that is true; they have.
§ Lord DAVIES of LEEKMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that it was a joy to hear that comprehensive Answer as to how the consumer will ultimately be protected? Is he aware that the passing of the buck and telephone calls creates frustration, speculation, intimidation and complete inattention to masses of consumers year in and year out, and will he do something about it?
§ Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTONMy Lords, it will always be a pleasure to have the noble Lord, Lord Davies of Leek, as a customer.
§ Baroness BURTON of COVENTRYMy Lords, leaving aside the water industry, but dealing with the reply given by the noble Lord, am I correct in thinking that the Government are contemplating forming a committee by which representation for all the nationalised industries, in so far as consumers are concerned, might be brought together; and if that is the case, does he have in mind a very large committee?
§ Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTONMy Lords, perish the thought that we should be forming more committees than are necessary. As I said in my initial Answer, we are having a review of consumer interests, but what form it will take I cannot prejudge.
§ Baroness BURTON of COVENTRYMy Lords, if I may ask one further very brief question, can the noble Lord say whether it is the intention of the Government to publish—I suppose it would be a Green Paper—for possible discussion on the general reorganisation of consumer representation?
§ Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTONMy Lords, when we have done our review and considered it we shall make our intentions known.